COVID-19 Related Protocol Considerations and Modifications within a Rural, Community-Engaged Health Promotion Randomized Trial. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Rural communities are at higher risk for physical inactivity, poor dietary behaviors, and related chronic diseases and obesity. These disparities are largely driven by built environment, socioeconomic, and social factors. A community-based cluster randomized controlled trial of an intervention, the Change Club, aims to address some of these disparities via civic engagement for built environment change. Baseline data collection began in February 2020, only to be paused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, the investigators evaluated multiple approaches for collecting data when the study resumed, focusing on Lifes Simple 7, and additional anthropometric, physiologic, and behavioral outcomes in rural and micropolitan (<50,000 population) communities in Texas and New York. Lifes Simple 7 includes fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, physical activity, diet, and smoking. Rigor and feasibility were considered across a variety of in-person versus at-home measurement options. After a comprehensive input from participants, partners, staff, researchers, and the funding liaison, the study team chose self-measurement and use of validated questionnaires/surveys to measure the Lifes Simple 7 components. This case provides an example of how a study team might adjust data collection protocol during unexpected and acute events while giving consideration to rigor, feasibility, stakeholder views, and participants health and safety.

published proceedings

  • Methods Protoc

altmetric score

  • 2.75

author list (cited authors)

  • Seguin-Fowler, R. A., Eldridge, G. D., Graham, M., Folta, S. C., Hanson, K. L., & Maddock, J. E.

citation count

  • 0

complete list of authors

  • Seguin-Fowler, Rebecca A||Eldridge, Galen D||Graham, Meredith||Folta, Sara C||Hanson, Karla L||Maddock, Jay E

publication date

  • January 2023

publisher