Exploring Changes in Attitudes, Behaviors, and Self-Measured Health Data Through Lifestyle Modification Support by Community Pharmacists: Suito-Ogaki Selfcare (SOS) Trial

PURPOSE: Contributing to public health by supporting people’s health is the social mission of community pharmacists. This multicenter, prospective case series study aimed to evaluate changes in people’s behavior and health states through community pharmacists’ self-care support for healthy lifestyles. METHODS: The participants were recruited from voluntary adults aged ≥20 years who agreed to participate in the study, at community pharmacies in Gifu, Japan, between June and September 2021. Participants self-managed their lifestyles for six months while recording their health data, including blood pressure (BP), daily using devices (home BP monitor, body composition monitor, and activity meter) and a diet-recording app. They received lifestyle modification support at pharmacies at least once per month. Participants’ subjective health status, attitudes, and behavioral changes were evaluated using self-report questionnaires. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, data were primarily analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Fifty-four participants aged 20 to 77 (mean age: 49.6 years; female participant proportion: 55.6%) participated in this study. Their mean weekly BP shifted almost horizontally from baseline to week 24 (systolic BP: 118.8 to 121.5 mmHg; diastolic BP: 76.1 to 77.5 mmHg). At six months, 38.9% and 35.2% of the participants reported better overall health and mental health, respectively, than at baseline. Over 85% of the participants became more proactive in improving their lifestyles regarding salt intake, diet, weight loss, and exercise, although drinking and smoking habits were more challenging to change. All the participants reported that they intended to continue to improve their lifestyle. CONCLUSION: The participants’ responses suggested that community pharmacists’ support helped increase participants’ health awareness and promote their health-enhancing behaviors. However, its impact on health parameters should be further examined in future studies. More vigorous, tailored self-care support may be worth considering in developing a more effective, community-fitted health/well-being support system in Japan.