Professional Practice The Effect of Tailored E-mails in the Workplace: Part II. Increasing Overall Physical Activity
AAOHN Journal Vol. 57   No. 8   August 2009
Tracey L. Yap, RN, PhD; L. Sue Davis, RN, PhD; Donna M. Gates, RN, EdD; Annette B. Hemmings, PhD and Wei Pan, PhD
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact tailored e-mail messages, based on participants’ identified needs, have on intentional physical activity. A quasi-experimental design (two groups, repeated measures) in a population of manufacturing workers (73 employees from two distribution plants of a multi-national manufacturer) was used. Significant differences were found between contemplation-staged participants in the intervention and the comparison groups. In the intervention group, 53.3% of the workers moved forward, as opposed to 19.2% in the comparison group (medium effect size = 0.353). Although both the intervention group and the comparison group increased their number of steps, the comparison group’s improvement was most likely attributed to a Hawthorne effect. These results are highly promising given the small sample size and limited "dose." The intervention is one most industries could feasibly implement. Such efforts have the potential to significantly impact public health. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Dr. Yap is Assistant Professor, Deputy Director of Nursing at the NIOSH Education and Research Center, College of Nursing; Dr. Davis is Professor and Director of Occupational Health Nursing; Dr. Hemmings is Professor and Division Head of Educational Studies; Dr. Gates is Professor and the Procter Endowed Chair, College of Nursing; and Dr. Pan is Associate Professor, College of Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH. The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. doi:10.3928/08910162-20090716-01