Effectiveness of a physical literacy intervention program for young and middle-aged adults with hypertension: a mixed-methods quasi-experimental study
- 1School of Nursing, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
- 2Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nursing and Health, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine
Abstract
Objective: To examine whether a theoretically grounded, 8-week physical literacy intervention incorporating salutogenic model components (sense of coherence, social support, and self-efficacy) could improve physical activity levels and clinical outcomes in young and middle-aged adults with Grade 1 hypertension, and to explore participants’ subjective experiences of the program.
Methods: A mixed-methods quasi-experimental study was conducted between August and October 2024. Forty patients aged 18–59 years were recruited from a community healthcare center and allocated to the intervention group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The intervention group received a multidimensional physical-literacy program, while the control group received usual care. Five participants were lost to follow-up; 35 (intervention: n = 17; control: n = 18) completed all three assessments: baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and one-month follow-up (T2). Quantitative outcomes (SBP, BMI, physical-literacy scores, social support, sense of coherence, self-efficacy, and physical activity) were analyzed using independent t -tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for between-group comparisons and paired t -tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for within-group changes, with significance set at α = 0.05 (two-tailed). Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis.
Results: Of the 40 recruited participants, 35 (87.5%) completed the study. Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP), body weight, and BMI compared to baseline (all P < 0.05). Significant improvements were also observed in PL scores, social support, sense of coherence, and self-efficacy ( P < 0.05). Qualitative findings corroborated these results, highlighting enhanced health literacy and stress alleviation, despite some logistical challenges.
Conclusion: The PL intervention is a feasible and effective strategy to improve health outcomes and psychosocial resilience in hypertensive adults, offering a promising approach for community-based chronic disease management.
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BibTeX
@article{ma2026effectiveness,
title = {{Effectiveness of a physical literacy intervention program for young and middle-aged adults with hypertension: a mixed-methods quasi-experimental study}},
author = {Guiyue Ma},
journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fendo.2026.1944805},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1944805/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effectiveness of a physical literacy intervention program for young and middle-aged adults with hypertension: a mixed-methods quasi-experimental study
AU - Guiyue Ma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in Endocrinology
DO - 10.3389/fendo.2026.1944805
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2026.1944805/full
AB - Objective: To examine whether a theoretically grounded, 8-week physical literacy intervention incorporating salutogenic model components (sense of coherence, social support, and self-efficacy) could improve physical activity levels and clinical outcomes in young and middle-aged adults with Grade 1 hypertension, and to explore participants’ subjective experiences of the program. Methods: A mixed-methods quasi-experimental study was conducted between August and October 2024. Forty patients aged 18–59 years were recruited from a community healthcare center and allocated to the intervention group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The intervention group received a multidimensional physical-literacy program, while the control group received usual care. Five participants were lost to follow-up; 35 (intervention: n = 17; control: n = 18) completed all three assessments: baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and one-month follow-up (T2). Quantitative outcomes (SBP, BMI, physical-literacy scores, social support, sense of coherence, self-efficacy, and physical activity) were analyzed using independent t -tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for between-group comparisons and paired t -tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for within-group changes, with significance set at α = 0.05 (two-tailed). Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: Of the 40 recruited participants, 35 (87.5%) completed the study. Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP), body weight, and BMI compared to baseline (all P < 0.05). Significant improvements were also observed in PL scores, social support, sense of coherence, and self-efficacy ( P < 0.05). Qualitative findings corroborated these results, highlighting enhanced health literacy and stress alleviation, despite some logistical challenges. Conclusion: The PL intervention is a feasible and effective strategy to improve health outcomes and psychosocial resilience in hypertensive adults, offering a promising approach for community-based chronic disease management.
SN - 1664-2392
ER -