Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Among Firefighters (PHLAME)

January 6, 2014 updated by: Diane Elliot, Oregon Health and Science University

PHLAME: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Alternative Models' Effects

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: Alternative Models' Effects (PHLAME) is a research study to evaluate and compare two ways to promote healthy behaviors, (regular physical activity, less than 30% calories from fat, 5 or more servings of fruits plus vegetables each day and maintain a healthy weight). Unhealthy nutrition practices and sedentary (inactive) lifestyles are the two most common harmful behaviors in the United States. Our two health promotion methods are 1) a team-based approach and 2) a one-on-one approach involving meetings with a health counselor. A third group only receives the same evaluation and their results and is the control group. Study participants are firefighters from 36 fire stations in Oregon and Washington.

The goals of the study are increased physical activity and fitness, improved nutrition, and improved energy balance (reduced body fat). Changes in these factors can help lower risks for heart disease, some types of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and musculoskeletal injuries. Results from PHLAME will provide information on how best to help adults achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

This is a randomized, controlled trial to implement and prospectively assess and compare the usefulness of two means to promote healthy behaviors. Subjects are fire fighters who are assigned to one of two interventions or the control condition using a balanced randomization by fire station. The two health promotion interventions are 1) a team-based intervention and 2) a one-on-one intervention with a health counselor. The team intervention is based on social-learning theory, with all members of the social unit simultaneously participating. The one-on-one intervention uses a transtheoretical model and motivational interviewing techniques at the individual level.

The targeted outcomes are increased physical activity and fitness, improved nutrition (more than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and less than 30 percent of calories as fat), and improved energy balance (healthy body weight). Secondary outcomes include increased measures of endurance, strength, flexibility, and back fitness; reduced LDL levels; decreased abdominal obesity; and enhanced quality of life. Changes in these outcome measures can help lower risks for heart disease, some types of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and musculoskeletal injuries.

We will assess program effects at the station and individual level. We will analyze the hierarchical data (fire fighters nested at fire stations) using linear modeling and use latent growth modeling to examine change over time. In addition, we will use covariance structure models to identify constructs and latent paths among constructs that affect outcomes. Our large data set, nested study design, and prospective longitudinal assessment make these newer modeling techniques well suited for our data analysis. Results from PHLAME will provide information on health behavior change and health promotion for adults.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

600

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Oregon
      • Portland, Oregon, United States, 97201
        • Oregon Health & Science University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • All fit-for-duty fire fighters from Portland, OR, Salem, OR, Camas, WA, Battleground, WA and Brush Prairie, WA.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Fire fighters who are planning on leaving employment within 1 year.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Diane L. Elliot, MD, Oregon Health and Science University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

April 1, 1999

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2003

Study Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2003

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 19, 2000

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 19, 2000

First Posted (Estimate)

August 21, 2000

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 7, 2014

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 6, 2014

Last Verified

March 1, 2003

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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