Lifestyle Intervention for High Blood Pressure
(EPIPHANY Trial)
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are currently taking blood pressure-lowering medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Community-Level Peer Support, Community-Based Intervention, Peer Coaching, Health Coaching, Health Education, Cancer Health Education, Individual-Level Peer Support, Peer Coaching, Individual-Level Peer Support, Health Coaching for high blood pressure?
Is the lifestyle intervention for high blood pressure safe for humans?
How is the Community-Level Peer Support treatment for high blood pressure different from other treatments?
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this study is to test an intervention to prevent high blood pressure among rural, Black adults living in Alabama. Black adults in this region have one of the highest rates of high blood pressure in the US. Eating fruits and vegetables and exercising daily lowers the chance of getting high blood pressure. Many problems get in the way of eating a healthy diet and exercising like a lack of grocery stores with fresh foods, few gyms, little money, lack of transportation, and limited support for keeping healthy habits. One place where many Black adults in rural Alabama meet weekly and feel supported is their church. The investigators will connect with 30 churches in rural Alabama. The investigators plan to hold health fairs to find 12 Black adults from each church with blood pressure that is higher than normal but not high enough to need blood pressure lowering medications. The investigators will randomly select 15 churches to get group health education and tablets to access online cooking shows and exercise classes. Adults in the other 15 churches will get support from a health coach over the telephone to help set and meet diet and physical activity goals as well as the group health education and tablets to access online cooking shows and exercise classes. In this study, the investigators will ask church members to sign up to be a health coach. These 15 churches will also get money to help bring healthy foods and/or physical activity opportunities to their communities. The investigative team will train 2 to 3 of their church members to learn how to coach others to eat more healthy food and be more physically active. This study answers two questions. 1) Will this intervention designed to reduce barriers to a healthy lifestyle lower blood pressure among rural, Black adults? 2) Can churches and participants complete the whole two-year study, and can the intervention be used in other communities in a cost-effective way to improve blood pressure? This project will add to the health equity mission of the American Heart Association by finding out if an intervention using health coaches lowers blood pressure among rural Black adults.
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for Black/African American adults living in rural Alabama with slightly elevated blood pressure, but not high enough to require medication. Participants should be under 65 years old without a history of heart disease, diabetes, or kidney issues and must speak English. They can't join if they're pregnant, planning to move soon, or don't have a phone.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive group health education and access to online cooking shows and exercise classes. Some participants receive additional support from a health coach.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in blood pressure, diet, physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking habits.
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Community-Level Peer Support
- Health Education
- Individual-Level Peer Support
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lead Sponsor