Digital delivery of a 6-month home-based empowerment program improves mental health in rural adults with chronic conditions: A single-arm prospective interventional trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mental health conditions commonly co-occur with chronic diseases, yet few evidence-based interventions are designed for rural populations or scalable within primary care. This study evaluated the mental health impact, clinical significance, and usability of a digitally delivered Personal Empowerment Program (PEP).

Methods

This single-arm prospective interventional trial (October 2023-August 2025) enrolled 182 community-dwelling adults with ≥1 physician-diagnosed chronic condition in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. The six-month PEP program delivered daily digital modules via email and YouTube covering physical fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, sleep, and social connection, with weekly self-monitoring and monthly videoconferencing, optimized for low-bandwidth mobile acc

SUBMITTER: Ilie G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12827924 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature