Background: Non-communicable chronic diseases are currently major causes of healthcare cost and mortality worldwide, including Chile. In this context, positive psychological resources have been linked with healthy lifestyle behaviors, improved health biomarkers, and better clinical outcomes. Therefore, the promotion of psychological well-being through evidence-based interventions offers a great potential for prevention and management of chronic diseases. Among others, metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent chronic disease risk condition in Chile.
Aims: To implement and evaluate the effects of a psychological well-being theory-based intervention on well-being indicators in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Method: We selected 44 patients with this condition who were referred to our university hospital in Santiago, Chile. A cognitive-experiential group intervention (8 weekly 1.5-hour sessions) based on psychological well-being/positive psychology activities was designed and implemented. Patients (allocated in 4 groups) attended online synchronous sessions and received complementary materials. Patients’ well-being was evaluated before and after the intervention through validated scales assessing positive/negative affect, subjective vitality, optimism, Ryff’s psychological well-being, and positive mental health. Changes on participants’ well-being measures were quantitatively evaluated by paired t-tests.
Results: Metabolic syndrome patients were 46.4 ± 10.7 years-old, predominantly women (64%), and all had abdominal obesity. Comparing pre- versus post-intervention, improvement was found in each measured variables, including positive/negative affect ratio (p<0.0001), subjective vitality (p<0.0001), optimism (p=0.038), Ryff’s well-being scale (total score, p=0.0005; and in most of its components), and positive mental health (p=0.0001). In addition, participants reported a qualitatively beneficial experience and positive overall evaluation of the intervention. They learned tools that motivated themselves to persevere in improving their well-being, positively impacting their lives and families.
Conclusion: This cognitive-experiential intervention was feasible, well accepted, and significantly enhanced well-being in Chilean patients with metabolic syndrome. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of this intervention on adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes related to this chronic disease risk condition in Chile. Supported by FONDECYT Grant #1201607.