Using E-Mail Health Interventions and Transtheoretical Model to Promote Wellness: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of one weekly e-mail health (e-health) message in assisting individuals meet their self-identified health goals. Methods: Employees (N=31) from a midwestern city were recruited at a Benefits Fair health booth and divided into two groups based on their desire to receive additional health information. The participants in each group were then randomly assigned to receive basic or detailed e-health messages that were developed using the constructs of the Transtheoretical Model. Participants self-identified a personal wellness goal and how soon they planned to start working toward accomplishing this goal. For 38 weeks, the basic group received weekly e-health messages that contained basic information related to one of the World Health Organization’s seven dimensions of wellness while the detailed group received the basic message plus additional games, webpage links and more extensive information. Participant’s progress along the change continuum and goal completion was assessed 38 weeks later with a Post-Wellness Survey. Results: Participants exhibited positive movement on the behavior change continuum with many reaching their goals, regardless of the type of e-health message received. Conclusion: E-health messages can be a practical, cost-effective way to assist employees in making healthy behavioral changes and meeting their personal health goals.