The effectiveness of an online interdisciplinary intervention for mental health promotion: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background There is an urgent need for efficacious interventions to combat the global mental health crisis, and mental health promotion and primary prevention approaches are paramount. The aim of this study is to examine whether an online interdisciplinary intervention that incorporates evidence-based strategies from the disciplines of Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology improves measures of mental health and emotional wellness. Methods A randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control (N = 425, aged 46.97 ± 14.5, 69.9% females) was conducted in Australia and New Zealand. The intervention group participated in a 10-week online interdisciplinary intervention. Primary outcome measures of mental health and emotional wellness were taken at baseline (Week 1), post-intervention (Week 12), and 12 weeks post-intervention (Week 24). The wait-list control completed the same assessments. Results General Linear Modelling analyses indicated that the intervention group experienced significantly greater improvements than the wait-list control group over time in all outcome measures: mental health (F(319) = 7.326, p = 0.007) and vitality (F(319) = 9.445, p = 0.002) subscales of the Short Form Survey (SF-36); depression (F(319) = 7.841, p = 0.005), anxiety (F(319) = 4.440, p = 0.36) and stress (F(319) = 12.494, p < 0.001) scales of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and life satisfaction (F(319) = 8.731, p = 0.003) as measured by the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Within the intervention group, significant improvements were observed from Week 1 to 12 in all outcome measures: mental health (10%, t(167) = − 6.423), p < 0.001, dz = 0.50), vitality (22%, t(167) = − 7.043, p < 0.001, dz = 0.54), depression (− 41%, t(167) = 6.189, p < 0.001, dz = 0.48), anxiety (− 38%, t(167) = 5.030, p < 0.001, dz = 0.39), stress (− 31%, t(167) = 6.702, p < 0.001, dz = 0.52) and life satisfaction (8%, t(167) = − 6.199, p < 0.001, dz = 0.48). Improvements in the outcome measures remained significant in the intervention group at 12 weeks post-intervention. Conclusion The online interdisciplinary intervention improved measures of mental health and emotional wellness suggesting that such interventions may be useful for mental health promotion and prevention. Trial registration The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12619000993190. Registered on 12 July 2019 (Retrospectively registered). The ANZCTRN is part of the WHO Primary Registries.

Efficiency of an Online Health-Promotion Program in Individuals with At-Risk Mental State during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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“…Physical activity is another element frequently implemented in health-promotion programs for physical wellbeing, stress management, nonpharmacological disease prevention, etc. [43,[53][54][55]. Health responsibility is a dimension of health promotion that is often applied by researchers.…”

“…Though online health-promotion programs implemented different online methodologies, similar features, such as educational videos [51][52][53][54], text messages [43,52], social forums [53], and external exercise links [43,54], were adopted. This study utilized educational videos for conveying health information, and social media for interaction.…”

Developing the Technology-based Parenting Young Children Check-Up Intervention for Disruptive Behavior Problems in Early Childhood

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“…The ensuing mental health crisis requires urgent, evidence-based, and interdisciplinary action (Campion et al, 2020 ; Holmes et al, 2020 ), and the use of digital technologies such as computers, tablets, and smartphones offers opportunities for the delivery of digital (i.e., Web- and app-based) interventions that are highly portable, accessible, and scalable. With primary care services urgently required to assist patients in clinical settings, evidence-informed digital mental health promotion interventions (DMHPIs) provide a pathway to enhance the mental health of the general population (Campion et al, 2020 ; Holmes et al, 2020 ; Marshall et al, 2020 ; Renfrew et al, 2020a ; Przybylko et al, 2021a ).…”