The review, published in Cardiology Clinics, was coauthored by University of South Florida assistant professor Soonhyung Kwon and his collaborators from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. The team examined 18 randomized controlled trials, each with 50–200 participants, that used structured positive psychology programs.
Programs were delivered in different formats, from apps and text messages to journaling. They combined weekly sessions with daily at-home activities so researchers could measure changes in cardiovascular health and health behaviours. Analysing patterns across the trials, the researchers found the most consistent short-term benefits when interventions were frequent, often daily, over an 8- to 12-week period.
In some cases participants lowered their blood pressure by about 7 to 8 points and took an extra 1,800 steps per day. Kwon focuses on digital health, gerontology and positive psychology and is developing an augmented reality physical activity program for older adults in the Tampa Bay area to support cardiovascular outcomes.
Difficult words
- randomized controlled trial — study where people are randomly assigned to groupsrandomized controlled trials
- intervention — action or program intended to change healthinterventions
- cardiovascular — relating to the heart and blood vessels
- gerontology — study of aging and older adults
- augmented reality — digital view of the real world with additions
- outcome — a result or effect of an actionoutcomes
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you try a daily positive psychology program on your phone? Why or why not?
- How could augmented reality help older adults become more active?
- Do you think 8–12 weeks is enough time to change health habits? Explain your view.
Related articles
Cell transplant may help heart after spinal cord injury
Researchers tested transplanting immature nerve cells into spinal cord injuries in rats. The transplants improved nerve control of circulation — stabilizing resting blood pressure and lowering heart rate — but hormonal responses after injury still rose.
Tired witnesses and suspects can give unreliable statements
New research from Iowa State University shows that tired, anxious or sleep‑deprived people in the justice system may give less accurate statements. The authors map how sleep loss changes memory and increase risks during interviews and custodial questioning.
Framing problems as losses makes employees speak up
Research in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that when managers describe problems as collective losses, employees are more likely to offer suggestions. Three studies with nearly 2,000 people found stronger voice when issues were framed as potential losses.