Project 467179

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death for Canadian women. Physical activity helps to prevent CVD, but 85% of Canadians are inactive. Difficult emotions about CVD risk may hinder attempts to become active. Research specific to womens CVD prevention is needed. Empowering women to cope with difficult emotions about their CVD risk may help them become more active. Self-compassion (SC) is a kind way of relating to oneself. People who use SC cope better with health risks. The aim of my study is to optimize an intervention which teaches women to cope with their CVD risk using SC to adopt an active lifestyle. I previously conducted a 1-on-1 SC intervention for 11 women with CVD risk that successfully increased physical activity. However, 1-on-1 intervention delivery was inefficient. I will now determine if group intervention delivery is comparably effective to 1-on-1 delivery for increasing physical activity. Furthermore, only women low on SC were included in my previous study. I will now determine if women higher in SC can also benefit from the intervention.I will conduct a randomized optimization trial for 96 women aged 55-75 years with high blood pressure and low physical activity. Participants will be assigned to receive SC training in groups of 6 to 9 or through 1-on-1 delivery. The intervention will provide all participants with 1 individual session to discuss their CVD risk and physical activity goals, and 3 sessions of SC training in their assigned group or 1-on-1 condition. I will measure physical activity (main outcome), health behaviours, SC, and emotions pre- and post-intervention. I will determine how best to deliver this intervention before it is tested on a larger scale. This research may inform Canadian womens health programming.