Human support in eHealth lifestyle interventions

Cohen Rodrigues, T.R. (2024)

Doctoral Thesis

There is an increasing number of adults who suffer from cardiovascular diseases (CVD). These patients would benefit from a healthy lifestyle, as this improves the prognosis of CVD. However, even though improving one’s health and lifestyle is the focus of cardiac rehabilitation, CVD patients need support to also maintain a healthy lifestyle after their rehabilitation has ended. Even though the support of a healthcare professional seems to be an important factor in successful lifestyle change, there are barriers that hinder professionals from providing lifestyle support, such as a lack of time or expertise. Since the involvement of healthcare professionals is also not always possible or desirable, it is important to further investigate possibilities to provide patients with a self-help eHealth intervention. In such self-help eHealth interventions, feedback is automatically provided, making the interference of a healthcare professional no longer needed. However, self-help eHealth interventions can suffer from a low uptake and a low level of adherence. This PhD dissertation therefore focuses on (1) mapping out the needs and wishes of both healthcare professionals and CVD patients with regard to (human-supported and self-help) eHealth lifestyle interventions, and (2) investigating if and how self-help eHealth lifestyle interventions could be optimised.

• eHealth
• Digital health
• Cardiovascular disease
• Lifestyle change
• Lifestyle support

• All authors: Cohen Rodrigues, T.R.
• Supervisor: Evers, A.W.M.; Atsma, D.E.
• Co-supervisor: Breeman, L.D.
• Committee: Rombouts, S.A.R.B.; Adriaanse, M.A.; Chavannes, N.H.; Gemert-Pijnen, J.E.W.C. van; Kemps, H.M.C.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University
• Date: 2024-03-14
• ISBN (print): 9789464838237