Engaging diabetic and hypertensive patients in physical activity through Photovoice: a randomised controlled study

Background: Photovoice has been used in health promotion. By using a series of photos or pictures, participants are able to discuss causes to poor health problems, review their living environment and habits and to make changes. This study applied the concept of Photovoice to promote physical activity. Method: This is a randomised controlled study. Community-dwelling adults were recruited from 3 elderly centres of Sheng Kung Hui in the Western district. Subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Participants from the intervention group attended 6 weekly meetings to learn to take photos related to facilitators and barriers to physical activities in their living environment. They were guided by a research nurse to discuss and review the photos. They were also benefited from knowledge in chronic illness management and stressing exercises. Their physical fitness and physical activity level were measured before and after the weekly meetings. Results: A total of 204 subjects (75% were females) were recruited from 2014 to 2016. The mean patient age was 73.6 years in the intervention group and 73.1 years in the control group. About 20% of the participants (24.7% in the intervention group and 19.6% in the control group) did not receive formal education. Demographical variables (such as age, sex, education level, and living status) of the 2 groups were comparable. Participants in the intervention group achieved greater improvement in lower-body strength (d=0.94 reps, t=1.96, p