The analysis of a group-mediated cognitive-behavioral corporate physical activity intervention

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe and evaluate the use of a group-mediated cognitive behavioral (GMCB) exercise intervention approach within a corporate environment PARTICIPANTS: Twenty (n males = 17, n females = 3) employees from two departments within a large Canadian resource company took part in the study. The average age was 43.50 years (SD = 8.60, range = 29 to 60) for males and 49.70 years (SD = 6.40, range = 45 to 57) for females. METHODS: A mixed methods case study approach was adopted to assess the response to and effectiveness of the GMCB program within a corporate setting. These included field notes, weekly fitness logs, anthropometric measurements, and end of program focus group sessions. RESULTS: Qualitative measures pointed toward positive outcomes while quantitative results found significant decreases in body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist girth over the duration of the program. Descriptive statistics revealed an increase in exercise frequency and a strong preference for unstructured, group or mixed (i.e., group and individual) based activity during the program. CONCLUSION:The GMCB protocol can be successful at encouraging physical fitness within a corporate environment with the potential to address other health and wellness issues and to aid in vocational team building.

The Effects of Diet Alone or in Combination with Exercise in Patients with Prehypertension and Hypertension: a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…25) Therefore, it should be emphasized that more active cognitive-behavioral strategies such as psychological support, goal setting, and group-mediated cognitive behavior intervention could improve patient adherence for better outcomes in terms of behavioral change. 26 - 28) We speculate that the reason for significant reduction in ambulatory BP and urinary sodium only in the D+Ex group and not in the D group despite receiving the same dietary education might be that additional exercise education induced participants to care more about their health behavior and to practice lifestyle modification more actively. This finding supports the notion that total behavioral modification, rather than focusing on modifying a single behavioral target, is important for improving the efficacy of lifestyle modification.…”

Can certified health professionals treat obesity in a community-based programme? A quasi-experimental study

“…Nested in the InI was a second intervention, InII, in which two of the four groups (one urban, one rural) received biweekly GMCBI sessions delivered by an exercise psychologist. 30 43 The assignment of the groups for GMCBI was in advance and based on the location of the intervention, and not based on the individual participants’ characteristics.…”

“…The GMCBI sessions addressed group identity, teaching self-monitoring skills, individual and group goal-setting, developing strategies to overcoming barriers, sharing and support of group and individual goals, relapse prevention planning, cognitive regulation strategies, and transitory strategies for when the programme terminated. 30 44 45 …”

“…It seems that psychological support as part of lifestyle intervention programmes is important to assist in weight management. 28 29 Research examining the effectiveness of lifestyle changing studies that included goal setting sessions, or sometimes also called group-mediated cognitive–behavior interventions (GMCBI), 30 had better outcomes compared with those without GMCBI components. 31–34 …”

Better with age: A health promotion program for men at midlife.

“…In a study focused on improving levels of physical activity, Kabaroff, Eys, Schinke, and Eger (2013) facilitated a 12-session cognitive–behavioral physical activity intervention in a corporate workplace. The program involved 20 participants (17 males) aged from 29–60 years old ( M age = 43.5 years old).…”