Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program Evaluation Strategy

The purpose of evaluating the Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program (CRI LEP) is to improve the program and document outcomes. We can then identify what aspects of the program work well and what can be improved or further adapted to each CRI LEP community.

Additionally, the evaluation hopes to gather data that can help inform the transformation of the "sick" care system by indicating the value of advancing health literacy and improving prevention of chronic disease.

Canyon Ranch Institute and our partners evaluate changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, fitness, and we also conduct a physical assessment that includes a thorough blood panel. These are objective evaluation measures that show the impacts of the program.

Data Collection

Data is collected during five specific periods:

1. Baseline - Data is collected with each participant during a two-week time period prior to the start date of the CRI LEP.

2. Post Program - Data is collected with each participant during a two-week time period after the last day of the CRI LEP.

3. Three-Month Follow-up - Data is collected with each participant three months after the participant completed the CRI LEP. The data for the three-month follow-up is gathered over a two-week time period.

4. 12-Month Follow-up- Data is collected with each participant 12 months after the participant completes the CRI LEP.

5. Process Data Collection - Data is collected with each participant and group during the program.

Data Collection Tools

Canyon Ranch Institute uses a variety of tools to collect data:

• The CRI LEP Questionnaire is administered three times during the data collection process to address the knowledge, attitude, and behavioral components of the program.
• Fitness assessments are conducted with each participant by a physical therapist or other relevant trained professional, including strength and muscular endurance, reach and flexibility, and cardiovascular health.
• Physical measures are conducted with each participant by a health professional, including waist circumference, resting blood pressure, pulse, weight, and height.
• Blood work is also used to help assess the effectiveness of the program. Measures include C reactive protein, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1C.

As data from each CRI LEP becomes available, Canyon Ranch Institute shares that outcome data via scholarly publication, presentations, and here on our website.