Salutogenesis intervention improves cardio-cerebrovascular health in at-risk office workers: A quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: Cardio-cerebrovascular disease is the major cause of work-related deaths. Salutogenesis indicates individual differences in health levels occur owing to differences in the sense of coherence (SOC). A salutogenesis-based intervention may promote cardio-cerebrovascular health at work. This study examined the effects of a SOC promotion program based on salutogenesis.

DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study.

SAMPLE: Fifty-six office workers who were above the "low risk" of cardio-cerebrovascular disease from two workplaces were included in the final analysis.

MEASUREMENTS: Data collected pre- and postintervention. To determine the intervention's effectiveness, repeated-measures analysis of variance was used.

INTERVENTION: The intervention group was provided with the SOC promotion program, whereas the control group was provided with educational materials alone for 12 weeks.

RESULTS: Generalized resistance resources (GRRs; knowledge of cardio-cerebrovascular disease prevention, stress-coping strategies, and social support) and SOC significantly improved in the intervention group. The intervention group showed significant improvements in occupational stress, physical activity, dietary behavior, total cholesterol level, fasting glucose level, hemoglobin A1C level, body mass index, waist circumference, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and cardio-cerebrovascular risk.

CONCLUSIONS: Systematic salutogenesis-based SOC promotion programs should be established to enhance the cardio-cerebrovascular health of office workers at-risk of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial Registration Number is KCT0007029. The date of registration is February 23, 2022.