Online Bone Health Improvement Project (BHIP)
Principal Investigator: Randall S. Stafford
Funding Agency: Procter and Gamble
Duration: 10/1/2005 - 3/31/2008
Osteoporosis is increasingly recognized as underdiagnosed and often inadequately treated once diagnosed. There are substantial gaps between what we know scientifically and what we do in practice to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Women who have had a bone mineral density (BMD) test or fractures may not be adequately advised about guidelines for reducing fracture risk and need advice for making behavioral changes that will reduce their risk of fracture is the number one cause of death in the United States. The Online Bone Health Improvement Project (BHIP) will create an online intervention for improving bone health. The website will provide individualized feedback on osteoporotic fracture risk reduction that will increase women’s adherence to guidelines for osteoporosis treatment and prevention by use of education and individualized recommendations based on the woman’s BMD test results and fracture risk score.
What is the BHIP?
The BHIP is a pilot study of an online intervention to improve bone health in women. 120 women age 45 to 85 are recruited to join the study and then randomized to an intervention group or control group.
Questionnaires: All participants complete three sets of questionnaires.
Tutorials: Intervention participants complete ten educational tutorials during the first three months and eight tutorials duing the second three months. Tutorials will take approximately 45 minutes each. The tutorials will be individually tailored to you and teach lifestyle changes to improve bone health. Control group participants should continue their activities as usual and will view their tutorials after they complete a 6 month period.Procedures:
Potential Benefits:
- Better understanding of the results of your bone mineral density test.
- Better understanding of the guidelines for reducing your risk of osteoporotic fracture.
- Better understanding of how to use appropriate prevention and treatment strategies for osteoporosis and associated fractures.
How do I participate in the BHIP?
We have completed recruitment for the BHIP and are analyzing results. We hope to present results in early 2009.
What are the eligibility criteria for the BHIP?
You must meet the following Inclusion criteria:
1) Female
2) Age 45 to 85
3) Have Internet access
4) Able to read English at the 8th grade level or higher
5) Agree to be randomized to intervention group or control group
6) Agree to complete 3 study assessments at beginning, three months, and six months (each assessment takes approximately 30 minutes)
7) If randomized to the intervention group, agree to complete 10 study tutorials during the first three months and eight study tutorials during the second three months (Each tutorial takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete)
You must not have any of the following exclusion criteria:
1) Resident of long-term facility
2) Lack of spoken English or lack of household member > 18 years who can serve as interpreter
3) Significant co-morbidities including: uncontrolled metabolic disorders (renal failure, liver failure etc.); Active Symptoms suggesting acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or decompensated congestive heart failure (CHF); malignancy or other condition limiting life expectancy
4) Psychiatric disorder with active manifestations
5) Substance Abuse
6) No telephone or other means of contact
7) Family household member already enrolled
8) Homeless (and not living with relatives/friends)