Vol. 52 No. 1 (2021), Exercise Psychology Abstracts
Vol. 52 No. 1 (2021)

Compassionate and loving mindset towards heart health risk (calm hearts): A non-randomized pilot feasibility study for a parallel randomized controlled trial

Exercise Psychology Abstracts
Published 2021-11-15
Sasha Kullman
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba
Brittany Semenchuk
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba
Tamara Morgan
School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University
Todd Duhamel
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba
Shaelyn Strachan
Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba

Abstract

Self-compassion may help people manage reactions and motivate behaviour change in response to health-risk information. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a self-compassion intervention for women at-risk of cardiovascular disease and, secondarily, mean trends. Women aged 55-75 years at intermediate-to-high Framingham Disease risk, scoring below the mean in self-compassion, were recruited from the WARM Hearts cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT03938155). Participants completed three weekly virtual sessions. Session I (90-minutes): participants received cardiovascular risk information, were introduced to self-compassion, and self-selected a behaviour-change goal (e.g., physical activity). Sessions II and III (60-minutes): participants applied self-compassion to cardiovascular risk and behaviour-change. Home practice was assigned after Sessions I and II. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, retention, adherence, resources, facilitator fidelity, acceptability, and safety. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessed self-compassion, health behaviours, health intentions, and affective reactions. Questionnaires were examined for comprehension and proper utilization. Means were observed for trends. Of 103 potential participants, 11(11%) met the two inclusion criteria. Recruitment, retention, and attendance was 100%. Some sessions (39%) exceeded the allotted time (Session I Mmin.=83.4, SD=11.7; Session II Mmin.=68.6, SD=8.9; Session III Mmin.=54.7, SD=9.7). All topics were discussed in 97% of sessions, facilitator fidelity was 98%, and home-practice completion was 71%. Facilitator/participant feedback demonstrated acceptability and safety. Questionnaires were comprehended and utilized properly. Mean changes for self-compassion, health behaviours, and affective reactions were in the expected direction. The intervention appears feasible and acceptable. In a future two-arm trial, session content may be adjusted to facilitate timely completion, and participants further prompted to complete home practice.