Ameliorate Cardiovascular Condition through Positive Psychology and Lifestyle Intervention in China: Study Protocol of the ACCOMPLI-CH Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Cardiovascular health is influenced by various factors including not only physiological and behavioral ones, but also psychological well-being. However, when developing comprehensive preventive approaches, psychological intervention tends to receive less attention, despite its possible multiple mechanisms on cardiovascular health. Incorporating both healthy behavior and psychological well-being promotion would be a more efficacious preventive approach. This study aims to investigate the effects of a community-based multicomponent intervention combining positive psychological intervention and lifestyle intervention on improving cardiovascular health among older adults with risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Methods This study is a multicenter, community-based, randomized controlled trial with 18 months of intervention and follow-up for community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 80 years old with risk factors of cardiovascular health. Intervention activities last six months and are comprised of in-person group training sessions of 60–80 minutes led by trained group instructors and weekly self-monitoring homework. Eligible participants are randomly assigned to a multicomponent intervention “Harmony” group (24 sessions of positive psychology and lifestyle intervention delivered weekly), an active control “Lifestyle” group (eight sessions of lifestyle intervention delivered every 3–4 weeks), or a waitlist control group (no intervention activities). Positive psychological training sessions are designed using well-known techniques derived from positive psychology theories with adaptations to Chinese culture, and lifestyle training sessions are developed according to national guidelines. Primary outcome includes the change of a composite score of systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels, as well as psychological well-being measured by Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale, Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Secondary assessments include other measures for physical and biological indicators, psychological well-being, health behaviors, social connection factors, as well as overall cognitive functions. Discussion Our results will contribute to providing causal evidence on how psychological well-being combined with health behavior change can be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Given the trial is conducted at the community level, the implementation will provide great potential to benefit a wide range of populations in terms of disease prevention and eventually healthy longevity promotion. Trial registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR2200062929, registered August 24, 2022.