Effects of the Rango Cards game intervention on food consumption, nutritional knowledge and self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices of high school students: a cluster randomised controlled trial

AbstractObjective:The study aimed to assess the impact of a game-based nutritional intervention on food consumption, nutritional knowledge and self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices.Design:This cluster randomised controlled trial included both male and female high school students from private schools in the Federal District, Brazil. Four schools were randomly selected for each group. Investigated variables were age, sex, monthly family income, maternal education level, dietary perceptions and practices, nutritional knowledge and self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices.Setting:Intervention group participants were instructed to play Rango Cards, a digital game developed for the study, on their own, for a period of 7–17 d, while the control group was not provided with any game or material during the study.Participants:The study included 319 adolescents (mean age = 15·8 (sd 0·7) years).Results:Significant reductions were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group for the following variables: habit of eating while watching TV or studying and having meals at fast food restaurants. The intervention group showed increased knowledge of the effects of fruit and vegetable consumption as well as improved self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices such as reducing Na intake and preparing healthy meals.Conclusions:The design of Rango Cards is potentially capable of effecting positive changes. Therefore, the digital game promotes autonomy and self-care among adolescents with regard to healthy eating.

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Tailored smartphone intervention to promote healthy eating among Brazilian adolescents: a randomised controlled trial protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038896 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e038896

Author(s):

Giselle Rhaisa Melo ◽

Stefany Correa Lima ◽

Carolina M dos Santos Chagas ◽

Eduardo Y Nakano ◽

Natacha Toral

Keyword(s):

Stages Of Change ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Transtheoretical Model ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Nutritional Knowledge ◽

Senior Student ◽

Smartphone Intervention

IntroductionAdolescent eating patterns are characterised by high consumption of unhealthy foods, which has resulted in an increasing prevalence of overweight and chronic diseases. It is crucial to promote healthy eating habits, and nutritional interventions based on the transtheoretical model have been found to be especially effective. Mobile health strategies also seem promising for adolescents. This study aims to outline a smartphone intervention via WhatsApp for adolescents to promote healthy eating consumption, better nutritional knowledge, self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy practices and progress through the stages of change.Methods and analysisThere will be three distinct groups in this randomised study: a general intervention group (GG), in which the participants will receive the same healthy eating messages, based on the Brazilian food guide; a tailored intervention group (TG), in which the participants will receive healthy eating messages based on their stage of change; and a control group (CG), in which participants will receive messages on a different theme. Possession of a smartphone, use of WhatsApp and being a senior student (16–19 years) from a public school of the Federal District of Brazil will be the study’s inclusion criteria. Rural schools will be excluded. The sample size estimated is 390 individuals: 38 in the GG, 314 in the TG and 38 in the CG. The intervention will last 6 weeks, with a daily message sent to the students. We will investigate nutritional knowledge, self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices, food consumption and stages of change using preintervention and postintervention questionnaires. Memorisation of the messages will be also assessed.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the University of Brasília, School of Health Sciences and Research Ethics Committee. At the end of the study, the participating schools will receive a printed report with the main results of the intervention.Trial registration numberRBR-5b9jk7.

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Developing Wellbeing Through a Randomised Controlled Trial of a Martial Arts Based Intervention: An Alternative to the Anti-Bullying Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16010081 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 81 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Brian Moore ◽

Stuart Woodcock ◽

Dean Dudley

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Secondary School ◽

Martial Arts ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Social Intervention ◽

Control Group ◽

School Students ◽

Randomised Controlled

Anti-bullying policies and interventions are the main approach addressing bullying behaviours in Australian schools. However, the evidence supporting these approaches is inconsistent and its theoretical underpinning may be problematic. The current study examined the effects of a martial arts based psycho-social intervention on participants’ ratings of resilience and self-efficacy, delivered as a randomised controlled trial to 283 secondary school students. Results found a consistent pattern for strengths-based wellbeing outcomes. All measures relating to resilience and self-efficacy improved for the intervention group, whereas results declined for the control group. These findings suggest that a martial arts based psycho-social intervention may be an efficacious method of improving wellbeing outcomes including resilience and self-efficacy. The study proposes utilising alternatives to the anti-bullying approach and that interventions should be aimed towards helping individuals develop strengths and cope more effectively, which has specific relevance to bullying and more generalised importance to positive mental health.

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Cooking Training Intervention to Improve Cooking Skills and Self Efficacy in Preparing Breakfast for Kendari City Junior High School Students

Journal Wetenskap Health ◽

10.48173/jwh.v2i2.112 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 54-61

Author(s):

Titi Sholeha ◽

Rahayu Indriasari ◽

Healthy Hidayanty ◽

Nurhaedar Jafar ◽

Saifuddin Sirajuddin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Junior High School ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Junior High School Students ◽

Control Group ◽

School Students ◽

Cooking Skills

The quality of adolescent breakfast is very influential on daily nutritional needs. Fast food is a favorite food for teenagers but the nutritional content is lacking. Love to eat - ready-to-eat food makes the practice of cooking decline. The purpose of this study was to improve cooking skills and self-efficacy in preparing breakfast for junior high school students in Kendari City. This study is a quasi-experimental design. The subjects in this study were 26 students of SMPN 10 Kendari, namely the intervention group who were given cooking training and nutrition education with the lecture method and 26 students of SMPN 5 Kendari were the control group who were given nutrition education through leaflets. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and independent sample t-test. The results showed that there were differences in cooking skills and self-efficacy in preparing breakfast (p<0.05) in the intervention group (p<0.05). In addition, there were also differences in self-efficacy in preparing breakfast between the intervention group and the control group (p<0.05). It was concluded that there was a positive effect of cooking training on increasing self-efficacy and cooking skills for preparing breakfast. For the school, it is better to hold extracurricular cooking activities to train students' skills in meeting daily nutritional intake.

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Promoting Media Literacy Online: An Intervention on Performance and Appearance Enhancement Substances with Sport High School Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115596 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5596

Author(s):

Federica Galli ◽

Tommaso Palombi ◽

Luca Mallia ◽

Andrea Chirico ◽

Thomas Zandonai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

High School Students ◽

Media Literacy ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Literacy Intervention ◽

Media Influence ◽

Control Group ◽

School Students ◽

Health Promoting Behaviors

The outbreak of coronavirus required adjustment regarding the delivery of interventions. Media literacy interventions are necessary to help people acquire relevant skills to navigate the complexities of media communications, and to encourage health-promoting behaviors. The present study aimed to promote a media literacy intervention regarding performance and appearance enhancement substances use in sports high school students. The COVID-19 contingency allowed us to evaluate whether online sessions can effectively promote greater awareness of media influence, a stronger sense of confidence in persuading others to deal with media messages, and healthier attitudes about PAES use among high school students. The study relied on an “intervention group” comprising 162 students (31.5% female) and a “control group” comprising 158 students (42% female). Data were analyzed through repeated measures of Group X Time MANOVA and ANOVA, demonstrating some degree of efficacy of the media literacy intervention. The “intervention group” reported higher awareness of potential newspapers’ influence and a significant increase in their sense of confidence in dealing with media influence compared to the “control group”. Findings support the efficacy of online media literacy programs to prevent doping consumption in adolescents.

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A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Feasibility Study of a WhatsApp-Delivered Intervention to Promote Healthy Eating Habits in Male Firefighters

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126633 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6633

Author(s):

Winnie Wing Man Ng ◽

Anthony Siu Wo Wong ◽

Kin Cheung

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Healthy Eating Habits ◽

Cluster Randomized

This cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT)-designed study aimed to explore the feasibility of a promotion pamphlet and/or WhatsApp as a suitable mode of delivery to promote healthy eating habits with fruit and vegetables (F&V) among firefighters. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used. Forty-five firefighters from 23 fire stations were recruited and they all received the printed pamphlet, while the intervention group participants (n = 20) received additional teaching material through WhatsApp every two weeks for eight weeks. Feasibility outcomes included retention, practicality, and implementation. The participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. There were significant improvements in the mean numbers of days consuming F&V (p = 0.002; p = 0.031) in the intervention group, and for fruit consumption (p = 0.033) in the control group between the baseline (T0) and 3 months after completion of intervention (T1). High levels of participants’ satisfaction with the intervention revealed that a full-scale CRCT of the WhatsApp-delivered intervention promoting healthy eating could be feasible, especially as a means of increasing the numbers of days they consumed F&V and the numbers of servings of these consumed per day.

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Spiritual-Based Psychoeducation Increase of the Level Resilience of Youth Victims of Bullying

Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research ◽

10.37287/ijghr.v3i3.494 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 289-296

Author(s):

Betie Febriana ◽

Dwi Heppy Rochmawati ◽

Abdurrohim Abdurrohim ◽

Mohammad Farhan

Keyword(s):

High School Students ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Negative Effects ◽

School Students ◽

Post Test ◽

Kolmogorov Smirnov ◽

Victims Of Bullying

In general, bullying has negative effects on victims, including increased anxiety, decreased self-esteem, self-distrust and depression. These things will affect to the concentration of student learning which ultimately leads to decrease learning achievement and more risk of suicide in adolescents. Therefore, developing the resilience of youth victims of bullying is needed to provide therapeutic coping to avoid these adverse effects. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Spiritual-based psychoeducation therapy on the Level of Resilience of Youth Victims of Bullying. This is quasy experimental pre-post test research with total sampling. The sample is high school students who have experienced bullying in the past month, are physically healthy, and have no disabilities. The sample of this study was 50 and has been divided into two groups, namely the intervention group and the control group. This research used questionnaire’s ability of resilience in adolescents by Gail M wagnild and Heather M. Young. The results showed a significant effect of psychoeducation spiritual therapy on the level of adolescent resilience (p-value is 0.000 by Kolmogorov Smirnov). Schools need to consider this therapy as a choice to be applied to student victims of bullying.

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Efficacy of a smartphone-based coaching program for addiction prevention among apprentices: study protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09995-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Severin Haug ◽

Raquel Paz Castro ◽

Andreas Wenger ◽

Michael P. Schaub

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Internet Use ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Addiction Prevention ◽

Cluster Randomised ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background A large proportion of apprentices shows addictive behaviours like cigarette smoking, alcohol, cannabis, or compulsive Internet use, others do not show such behaviours at all. ready4life is a smartphone application-based coaching program for apprentices, which takes into account the heterogeneity of adolescent addictive behaviour by promoting life skills and reducing risk behaviours. The main objective of the planned study is to test the efficacy of ready4life for addiction prevention among apprentices in Switzerland within a controlled trial. Methods/design The efficacy of the ready4life coaching program will be tested in comparison to an assessment only control group, within a cluster-randomised controlled trial with one follow-up assessment after 6 months. At the beginning of the program, participants of the intervention group will receive an individual profile, showing areas in which they have sufficient resources and in which there is a need for coaching. Based on this feedback, they can select two out of the following six program modules: stress, social skills, Internet use, tobacco/e-cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol. Participants of the intervention group will receive individualised coaching by a conversational agent (chatbot) for a period of four months. The coaching relies on motivational and social-cognitive principles of behaviour change. Within weekly dialogues, the coach provides individually tailored information in different formats, such as videoclips, texts, or pictures. Study participants will be 1318 apprentices with a minimum age of 15, recruited in approximately 100 vocational school classes in Switzerland. Primary outcome will be a composite measure for addictive behaviours including (1) at risk-drinking, (2) tobacco/e-cigarette smoking, (3) cannabis use, and (4) problematic Internet use. Discussion The study will reveal whether this universally implementable but individually tailored intervention approach is effective in preventing the onset and escalation of addictive behaviors among apprentices. Trial registration ISRCTN59908406 (registration date: 21/10/2020).

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Effects of a kindergarten intervention on vegetables served and staff’s food-related practices: results of a cluster randomised controlled trial – the BRA study

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980019003963 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. 1117-1126

Author(s):

Anne Himberg-Sundet ◽

Anne Lene Kristiansen ◽

Lene Frost Andersen ◽

Mona Bjelland ◽

Nanna Lien

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Public And Private ◽

Cluster Randomised ◽

Block Randomisation ◽

Randomised Controlled

AbstractObjective:The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect on frequency, variety and amount of vegetables served and staff’s food-related practices in the multicomponent BRA intervention.Design:Cluster randomised controlled trial, conducted between Spring 2015 and Spring 2016. For allocation of the kindergartens, a stratified block randomisation was used. Data were collected in three ways: (i) a questionnaire for pedagogical leaders assessing the variety and frequency of vegetables served, including staff’s food-related practices assumed to be related to vegetable intake; (ii) a questionnaire for kindergarten assistants assessing staff’s food-related practices; (iii) a 5-d weighted vegetable diary assessing amount of vegetables served in a department.Setting:The target group for this study was public and private kindergartens in the counties of Vestfold and Buskerud, Norway.Participants:A total of seventy-three kindergartens participated.Results:At follow-up I, the amount of vegetables served increased by approximately 20 g per person per day (P = 0·002), and the variety in served vegetables increased by one-and-a-half kind per month (P = 0·014) in the intervention group compared to the control group. No effects on the frequency of vegetables served or on staff’s food-related practices were found.Conclusions:The BRA intervention was successful in increasing the amount and variety of vegetables served within intervention kindergartens. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms that can affect the staff’s food-related practices.

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Healthy Eating and Active Living for Diabetes-Glycemic Index (HEALD-GI): A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa059_006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1289-1289

Author(s):

Hayford Avedzi ◽

Allison Soprovich ◽

Stephanie Ramage ◽

Abdulrhman Alghamdi ◽

Kate Storey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrition Education ◽

Glycemic Index ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Web Based ◽

Phone Calls

Abstract Objectives Rigorous evidence is needed to support uptake of recommendations to include low glycemic index (GI) foods in daily meal planning as an effective dietary self-care strategy for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-week web-based GI-targeted nutrition education intervention on dietary intakes and GI-related knowledge among adults with T2D. Methods Participants were randomized to a control group (n = 34) that received standard printed copies of Canada's Food Guide and Diabetes Canada's GI resources or an intervention group (n = 33) that received those same materials, plus an online platform with six self-directed learning modules and supplementary print material. Each module consisted of a customized video, links to reliable websites, chat rooms, and quizzes. Evidence-based GI concept information included GI values of foods and advice for low-GI shopping, recipes, and cooking tips by a Registered Dietitian. Preferred supports through email, text messaging, phone calls, or postal mail to reinforce participants’ learning were also provided. The primary outcome, average daily dietary GI intake, was assessed using 3-day food records. Additional measures including GI knowledge and self-efficacy, glycated hemoglobin A1c, lipids, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, and computer proficiency, were assessed at baseline and at three months post-intervention. Results Participants (N = 67) were 64% men; mean (standard deviation [SD]) age 69.5 (9.3) years, with mean diabetes duration of 19.0 (13.7) years, BMI 30.1 (5.7) kg/m2 and A1c 7.1 (1.2)% at baseline. Mean daily GI intake decreased in the intervention group by 2.79 (7.77) compared to a 0.76 (6.48) increase in the control group (adjusted mean difference [95% CI]; −3.77 [−6.95, −0.58]). Mean GI knowledge 2.14 [0.59, 3.69], understanding of GI concept 1.65 [0.85, 2.44] and self-efficacy for consuming low-GI foods 1.29 [0.51, 2.07] increased among the intervention group (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. Conclusions Web-based GI-targeted education program improved the quality of carbohydrate consumption among adults with T2D and may have been mediated through increases in knowledge and self-efficacy. Web-based nutrition education may be an effective alternative in this population. Funding Sources Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research.

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Financial incentives to improve adherence to antipsychotic maintenance medication in non-adherent patients: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Health Technology Assessment ◽

10.3310/hta20700 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 20 (70) ◽

pp. 1-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Stefan Priebe ◽

Stephen A Bremner ◽

Christoph Lauber ◽

Catherine Henderson ◽

Tom Burns

Keyword(s):

Financial Incentives ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Qualitative Evaluation ◽

Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Subjective Quality Of Life ◽

Semistructured Interviews ◽

Randomised Controlled

BackgroundPoor adherence to long-term antipsychotic injectable (LAI) medication in patients with psychotic disorders is associated with a range of negative outcomes. No psychosocial intervention has been found to be consistently effective in improving adherence.ObjectivesTo test whether or not offering financial incentives is effective and cost-effective in improving adherence and to explore patient and clinician experiences with such incentives.DesignA cluster randomised controlled trial with economic and nested qualitative evaluation. The intervention period lasted for 12 months with 24 months’ follow-up. The unit of randomisation was mental health teams in the community.SettingCommunity teams in secondary mental health care.ParticipantsPatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective psychosis or bipolar illness, receiving ≤ 75% of their prescribed LAI medication. In total, 73 teams with 141 patients (interventionn = 78 and controln = 63) were included.InterventionsParticipants in the intervention group received £15 for each LAI medication. Patients in the control group received treatment as usual.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcome: adherence to LAI medication (the percentage of received out of those prescribed). Secondary outcomes: percentage of patients with at least 95% adherence; clinical global improvement; subjective quality of life; satisfaction with medication; hospitalisation; adverse events; and costs. Qualitative evaluation: semistructured interviews with patients in the intervention group and their clinicians.ResultsPrimary outcome: outcome data were available for 131 patients. Baseline adherence was 69% in the intervention group and 67% in the control group. During the intervention period, adherence was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (85% vs. 71%) [adjusted mean difference 11.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9% to 19.0%;p = 0.003]. Secondary outcome: patients in the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement in adherence of at least 95% (adjusted odds ratio 8.21, 95% CI 2.00 to 33.67;p = 0.003) and subjective quality of life (difference in means 0.71, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.15;p = 0.002). Follow-ups: after incentives stopped, adherence did not differ significantly between groups, neither during the first 6 months (adjusted difference in means –7.4%, 95% CI –17.0% to 2.1%;p = 0.175) nor during the period from month 7 to month 24 (difference in means –5.7%, 95% CI –13.1% to 1.7%;p = 0.130). Cost-effectiveness: the average costs of the financial incentives was £303. Overall costs per patient were somewhat higher in the intervention group, but the difference was not significant. Semistructured interviews: the majority of patients and clinicians reported positive experiences with the incentives beyond their monetary value. These included improvement in the therapeutic relationship. The majority of both patients and clinicians perceived no negative impact after the intervention was stopped after 1 year.ConclusionsFinancial incentives are effective in improving adherence to LAI medication. Health-care costs (including costs of the financial incentive) are unlikely to be increased substantially by this intervention. Once the incentives stop, the advantage is not maintained. The experiences of both patients and clinicians are largely, but not exclusively, positive. Whether or not financial incentives are effective for patients with more favourable background, those on oral mediation or for shorter or longer time periods remains unknown.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN77769281.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full inHealth Technology Assessment; Vol. 20, No. 70. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

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