Effects of the Consumption of Low-Fat Cooked Ham with Reduced Salt Enriched with Antioxidants on the Improvement of Cardiovascular Health: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of the study was to analyze how cardiovascular risk factors can be modified using nutritionally improved cooked ham enriched with a pool of antioxidants to influence relevant metabolic targets. Sixty-five untreated subjects (49.2% males, 50.8% females, mean age 40.92 ± 9.03 years) with total cholesterol level ≥180 mg/dL or LDL cholesterol ≥130 mg/dL participated in a 8-weeks randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Participant in the intervention group (51.5% males, 48.5% females, mean age 41.6 ± 9.8 years and mean BMI 25.1 ± 3.6 kg/m2) consumed cooked ham enriched with antioxidants (100 g/d) and controls (49.9% males, 53.1% females, mean age 40.2 ± 8.3 years and mean BMI 26.3 ± 3.2 kg/m2) received placebo. At 8 weeks, oxidized LDL decreased significantly between experimental and placebo groups (p < 0.036). Experimental group differences were also significant (p < 0.05). Similar findings in malondialdehyde, total cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6 were observed in the intervention group. Significant between-group differences in these variables were also found, except for total cholesterol and interleukin 6. The effects on inflammation and oxidation support the direct action of these antioxidants on the etiopathogenic factors of atheromatous plaque. We also observed an improvement in the lipid profiles among the subjects.

Download Full-text

OP0159 EFFICACY OF COMPREHENSIVE TECHNOLOGY-ASSISTED HOME-BASED EXERCISE IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.5100 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 100.3-100

Author(s):

Y. Wang ◽

X. Liu ◽

Y. Shi ◽

X. Ji ◽

W. Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exercise Intervention ◽

Medical Center ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Group Differences ◽

Control Group ◽

Home Based ◽

The Mean

Background:Clinical practice guidelines recommend that exercise is an essential component in the self-management of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Attending supervised interventions requiring periodic medical center visits can be burdensome and patients may decline participation, whereas, effective home-based exercise interventions that do not need regular medical center visits are likely to be more accessible and acceptable for patients with AS. Recently, increasing evidences have been accumulated that the wearable devices could facilitate patients with inflammatory arthritis by giving exercise instructions and improving self-efficacy. Therefore, patients with AS may benefit from an effective technology-assisted home-based exercise intervention.Objectives:To investigate the efficacy of a comprehensive technology-assisted home-based exercise intervention on disease activity in patients with AS.Methods:This study was a 16-week assessor-blinded, randomized, waiting-list controlled trial (ChiCTR1900024244). Patients with AS were randomly allocated to the home-based exercise intervention group and the waiting-list control group. A 16-week comprehensive exercise program consisting of a moderate intensity (64%-76% HRmax) aerobic training for 30min on 5 days/week and a functional training for 60min on 3 days/week was given to patients in the intervention group immediately after randomization, with 1.5h training sessions for two consecutive days by a study physical therapist at baseline and Week 8. The aerobic exercise intensity was controlled by a Mio FUSE Wristband with a smartphone application. The functional training consisted of the posture training, range of motion exercises, strength training, stability training and stretching exercises. Patients in control group received standard care during the 16-week follow-up and started to receive the exercise program at Week 16. The primary outcome was ASDAS at Week 16. The secondary outcomes were BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASAS HI, peak oxygen uptake, body composition and muscle endurance tests. The mean difference between groups in change from baseline was analyzed with the analysis of covariance.Results:A total of 54 patients with AS were enrolled (26 in intervention group and 28 in control group) and 46 (85.2%) patients completed the 16-week follow-up. The mean difference of ASDAS between groups in change from baseline to 16-week follow-up was −0.2 (95% CI, −0.4 to 0.003, P = 0.032), and the mean change from baseline was -0.4 (95% CI, -0.5 to -0.2) in the intervention group vs -0.1 (95% CI, -0.3 to 0.01) in the control group, respectively. Significant between-group differences were found between groups for BASDAI (−0.5 [95% CI, −0.9 to −0.2], P = 0.004), BASMI (−0.7 [95% CI, −1.1 to −0.4], P <0.001), BASFI (−0.3 [95% CI, −0.6 to 0.01], P=0.035), peak oxygen uptake (2.7 [95% CI, 0.02 to 5.3] ml/kg/min, P=0.048) and extensor endurance test (17.8 [95% CI, 0.5 to 35.2]s, P=0.044) at Week 16. Between-group differences were detected in ASAS HI (−0.9 [95% CI, −1.7 to −0.1], P=0.030), body fat percentage (−1.0 [95% CI, −2.0 to −0.01] %, P=0.048) and visceral adipose tissue (−4.9 [95% CI, −8.5 to −1.4] cm2, P=0.008) at Week 8, but not at Week 16. No significant between-group differences were detected in the total lean mass, time up and go test and the flexor endurance test during the follow-up.Conclusion:Comprehensive technology-assisted home-based exercise has been shown to have beneficial effects on disease activity, physical function, spinal mobility, aerobic capacity, and body composition as well as in improving fatigue and morning stiffness of patients with AS.References:[1]van der Heijde D, Ramiro S, Landewé R, et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2017;76:978–991.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Download Full-text

Effect of Steamed Potato Bread Intake on Glucose, Lipids, and Urinary Na+ and K+: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Adolescents

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17062096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 2096

Author(s):

Haiquan Xu ◽

Yanzhi Guo ◽

Shijun Lu ◽

Yunqian Ma ◽

Xiuli Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

High Density Lipoproteins ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Potato Bread

Although potatoes are highly nutritious, many epidemiological studies have connected their consumption with abnormal lipids, diabetes, and hypertension. Steamed potato bread has recently become one of China’s staple foods. A randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effect of steamed potato bread consumption on Chinese adolescents. Four classes from a high school were randomly selected and assigned to the intervention group (two classes) or control group (two classes). The steamed wheat bread (100% raw wheat flour) and potato bread (raw wheat flour to cooked potato flour ratio of 3:7) were provided to the control group and intervention group as staple food once a school day for 8 weeks, respectively. Compared with the control group, the intervention group had significant net changes in systolic blood pressure (4.6 mmHg, p = 0.010), insulin (−4.35 mIU/L, p < 0.001), total cholesterol (−0.13 mmol/L, p = 0.032), and high-density lipoproteins cholesterol (−0.07 mmol/L, p = 0.010). The urinary level of Na+/K+ did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, the intake of steamed potato bread for 8 weeks resulted in positive effects on the total cholesterol and insulin profiles but a negative effect on the systolic blood pressure and high-density lipoproteins cholesterol of adolescents.

Download Full-text

Effect of a Parent-Focused eHealth Intervention on Children’s Fruit, Vegetable, and Discretionary Food Intake (Food4toddlers): Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18311 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Margrethe Røed ◽

Anine C Medin ◽

Frøydis N Vik ◽

Elisabet R Hillesund ◽

Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Group Differences ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Ehealth Intervention ◽

Child Age

BACKGROUND In western countries, children’s diets are often low in fruits and vegetables and high in discretionary foods. Diet in early life tends to track through childhood and youth and even into adulthood. Interventions should, therefore, be delivered in periods when habitual traits are established, as in toddlerhood when children adapt to their family’s diet. OBJECTIVE In this study, we assessed the effect of the Food4toddlers eHealth intervention, which aimed to enhance toddlers’ diets by shaping their food and eating environment. METHODS The Food4toddlers randomized controlled trial was conducted in Norway in 2017-2018. Parent-child dyads were recruited through social media. In total, 298 parents completed an online questionnaire at baseline (mean child age 10.9 months, SD 1.2). Postintervention questionnaires were completed immediately after the intervention (ie, follow-up 1; mean child age 17.8 months, SD 1.3) and 6 months after the intervention (ie, follow-up 2; mean child age 24.2 months, SD 1.9). The intervention was guided by social cognitive theory, which targets the linked relationship between the person, the behavior, and the environment. The intervention group (148/298, 49.7%) got access to the Food4toddlers website for 6 months from baseline. The website included information on diet and on how to create a healthy food and eating environment as well as activities, recipes, and collaboration opportunities. To assess intervention effects on child diet from baseline to follow-up 1 and from baseline to follow-up 2, we used generalized estimating equations and a time × group interaction term. Between-group differences in changes over time for frequency and variety of fruits and vegetables and frequency of discretionary foods were assessed. RESULTS At follow-up 1, a significant time × group interaction was observed for the frequency of vegetable intake (<i>P</i>=.02). The difference between groups in the change from baseline to follow-up 1 was 0.46 vegetable items per day (95% CI 0.06-0.86) in favor of the intervention group. No other significant between-group differences in dietary changes from baseline to follow-up 1 or follow-up 2 were observed. However, there is a clear time trend showing that the intake of discretionary foods increases by time from less than 1 item per week at baseline to more than 4 items per week at 2 years of age (<i>P</i><.001), regardless of group. CONCLUSIONS A positive intervention effect was observed for the frequency of vegetable intake at follow-up 1 but not at follow-up 2. No other between-group effects on diet were observed. eHealth interventions of longer duration, including reminders after the main content of the intervention has been delivered, may be needed to obtain long-terms effects, along with tailoring in a digital or a personal form. CLINICALTRIAL International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 92980420; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN92980420

Download Full-text

Pengaruh susu kedelai dan jahe terhadap kadar kolesterol total pada wanita hiperkolesterolemia

JURNAL GIZI INDONESIA ◽

10.14710/jgi.4.2.89-95 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 89-95

Author(s):

Deny Yudi Fitranti ◽

Diassafons Marthandaru

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

Cholesterol Level ◽

Total Cholesterol Level ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Soy Milk ◽

Cholesterol Levels ◽

Before And After ◽

And Control

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is one of the risk factor of coronary heart disease. Soy contains protein, fiber and isoflavones which can reduce total cholesterol levels. Soy milk added by ginger might increase antioxidant activity. Ginger consist of oleoresin that can reduce total cholesterol level.Objective: To investigate the effect of soy milk and ginger to the total cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic women Methods: The study was true experiment with the control group pre-post test design. Subjects were 16 women aged 30-55 years with serum total cholesterol level 200-250 mg / dl. Subject were divided into two group. The intervention group receive 430 ml soy milk with 3 gram ginger and control group receive placebo. Total cholesterol level was measured by CHOD-PAP method. Food intake during the intervention was measured using food records and 24-hours food recall.. Data was analyzed by using Independent t test, Wilcoxon and Multiple Linear Regression.Results: Mean of total cholesterol level in treatment group decreased 5,50 mg/dl and the placebo group had increased total cholesterol l9.44 mg/dl. There were no differences in total cholesterol levels before and after intervention in the treatment group (p = 0.204) and control group (p = 0.093). There were differences in variations in total cholesterol levels between the two groups (p = 0.041). Conclusion: Consumed soy milk with ginger as much as 430ml/day during 14 days there was no difference in total cholesterol levels before and after intervention with decreased total cholesterol by 5,50 mg/dl.

Download Full-text

Effect of a Parent-Focused eHealth Intervention on Children’s Fruit, Vegetable, and Discretionary Food Intake (Food4toddlers): Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/18311 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. e18311

Author(s):

Margrethe Røed ◽

Anine C Medin ◽

Frøydis N Vik ◽

Elisabet R Hillesund ◽

Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Vegetable Intake ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Group Differences ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Ehealth Intervention ◽

Child Age

Background In Western countries, children’s diets are often low in fruits and vegetables and high in discretionary foods. Diet in early life tends to track through childhood and youth and even into adulthood. Interventions should, therefore, be delivered in periods when habitual traits are established, as in toddlerhood when children adapt to their family’s diet. Objective In this study, we assessed the effect of the Food4toddlers eHealth intervention, which aimed to enhance toddlers’ diets by shaping their food and eating environment. Methods The Food4toddlers randomized controlled trial was conducted in Norway in 2017-2018. Parent-child dyads were recruited through social media. In total, 298 parents completed an online questionnaire at baseline (mean child age 10.9 months, SD 1.2). Postintervention questionnaires were completed immediately after the intervention (ie, follow-up 1; mean child age 17.8 months, SD 1.3) and 6 months after the intervention (ie, follow-up 2; mean child age 24.2 months, SD 1.9). The intervention was guided by social cognitive theory, which targets the linked relationship between the person, the behavior, and the environment. The intervention group (148/298, 49.7%) got access to the Food4toddlers website for 6 months from baseline. The website included information on diet and on how to create a healthy food and eating environment as well as activities, recipes, and collaboration opportunities. To assess intervention effects on child diet from baseline to follow-up 1 and from baseline to follow-up 2, we used generalized estimating equations and a time × group interaction term. Between-group differences in changes over time for frequency and variety of fruits and vegetables and frequency of discretionary foods were assessed. Results At follow-up 1, a significant time × group interaction was observed for the frequency of vegetable intake (P=.02). The difference between groups in the change from baseline to follow-up 1 was 0.46 vegetable items per day (95% CI 0.06-0.86) in favor of the intervention group. No other significant between-group differences in dietary changes from baseline to follow-up 1 or follow-up 2 were observed. However, there is a clear time trend showing that the intake of discretionary foods increases by time from less than 1 item per week at baseline to more than 4 items per week at 2 years of age (P<.001), regardless of group. Conclusions A positive intervention effect was observed for the frequency of vegetable intake at follow-up 1 but not at follow-up 2. No other between-group effects on diet were observed. eHealth interventions of longer duration, including reminders after the main content of the intervention has been delivered, may be needed to obtain long-terms effects, along with tailoring in a digital or a personal form. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 92980420; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN92980420

Download Full-text

Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Homeopathy ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1715842 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Pankhuri Misra ◽

Chintamani Nayak ◽

Abhijit Chattopadhyay ◽

Tarun Kumar Palit ◽

Bharti Gupta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽

Rating Scales ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Attrition Rate ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Medium Effect ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Group Differences ◽

Double Blind

Abstract Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disorder, with up to an estimated 134 million Indian sufferers, and having significant impact on quality of life (QOL) and health costs. Despite the evidence favoring homeopathy in CRS being inadequate, it is highly popular. This trial attempts to study the efficacy of individualized homeopathy (IH) medicines in comparison with placebo in patients with CRS. Methods A double-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled, preliminary trial (n = 62) was conducted at the National Institute of Homoeopathy, West Bengal, India. Primary outcome measure was the sino-nasal outcome test-20 (SNOT-20) questionnaire; secondary outcomes were the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire and EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale scores, and five numeric rating scales (0–10) assessing intensity of sneezing, rhinorrhea, post-nasal drip, facial pain/pressure, and disturbance in sense of smell, all measured at baseline and after the 2nd and 4th months of intervention. Group differences and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated on the intention-to-treat sample. Results Groups were comparable at baseline. Attrition rate was 6.5% (IH: 1, Placebo: 3). Although improvements in both primary and secondary outcome measures were higher in the IH group than placebo, with small to medium effect sizes, the group differences were statistically non-significant (all p > 0.05, unpaired t-tests). Calcarea carbonica, Lycopodium clavatum, Sulphur, Natrum muriaticum and Pulsatilla nigricans were the most frequently prescribed medicines. No harmful or unintended effects, homeopathic aggravations or any serious adverse events were reported from either group. Conclusion There was a small but non-significant direction of effect favoring homeopathy, which ultimately renders the trial as inconclusive. Rigorous trials and independent replications are recommended to arrive at a confirmatory conclusion. [Trial registration: CTRI/2018/03/012557; UTN: U1111–1210–7201].

Download Full-text

The effectiveness of a family-centred intervention after traumatic brain injury: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/02692155211010369 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026921552110103

Author(s):

Mari S Rasmussen ◽

Nada Andelic ◽

Are H Pripp ◽

Tonje H Nordenmark ◽

Helene L Soberg

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Family Intervention ◽

Group Differences ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

And Control

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of a family-centred intervention for patients with traumatic brain injury and family members. Design: Open-labelled, two-armed randomised controlled trial. Settings: Outpatient clinic and family residences. Participants: Sixty-one patients (33 women) with traumatic brain injury, with mean (SD) age 43.8 (12.2), and 63 family members (33 women), with mean (SD) age 42.6 (11.3), were assign to intervention ( n = 30 families) and control group ( n = 31 families). Intervention: An eight-session single-family intervention to improve individual and family functioning. Outcome measures: Self-reported questionnaires at start-of-treatment, median (IQR) 11.4 (8.4, 15.9) months post-injury, and at two follow-ups, 2.7 (2.3, 3.8) and 9.2 (8.2, 9.9) months after start-of-treatment. Primary outcome measures were the SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Caregiver Burden Scale (CGB). Secondary outcome measures were the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES) and Quality of Life after Brain Injury Questionnaire (QOLIBRI). Group differences were analysed with linear mixed-model analysis for repeated measurements. Results: No significant between-group differences were found. The intervention group significantly improved on the MCS, the CGB and FACES in the treatment period, whereas the controls did not. The mean (SD) MCS change in the treatment period was 2.4 (1.1) points P = 0.028 in the intervention group. Mean (SE) MCS scores were 47.9 (1.26) and 47.3 (1.27) in the intervention and control group at last follow-up. Conclusions: Receiving an eight-session family intervention, in addition to specialised rehabilitation for the patients, was not superior to rehabilitation at a specialised traumatic brain injury outpatient clinic.

Download Full-text

Promoting the Quality of Teacher-Toddler Interactions: A Randomized Controlled Trial of “Thrive by Three” In-Service Professional Development in 187 Norwegian Toddler Classrooms

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.778777 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Elisabet Solheim Buøen ◽

Ratib Lekhal ◽

Stian Lydersen ◽

Turid Suzanne Berg-Nielsen ◽

May Britt Drugli

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Group Differences ◽

Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Significant Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Service Professional

The effectiveness of the Thrive by Three intervention, a 10-month, multicomponent, in-service professional development model to promote the quality of caregiver-toddler interactions (i.e., process quality), was tested utilizing a clustered randomized controlled design. Eighty childcare centers with 187 toddler classrooms in Norway were randomly assigned to either the Thrive by Three intervention group (n=87) or a usual-activity wait list control group (n=100). Interactional quality was assessed with the Toddler version of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS-Toddler) at three timepoints: pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. There were significant group differences in change in quality during the intervention period in both CLASS domains, Emotional and Behavioral Support (EBS), and Engaged Support for Learning (ESL), with greater overall differences in the ESL domain. Quality increased in the intervention groups, but quality decreased in the control group from baseline to post-intervention. There were significant group differences in quality at baseline. The Thrive by Three intervention had a positive effect on teacher-toddler interactions in both the EBS and ESL domains. Results need to be replicated preferably in more diverse samples.Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03879733.

Download Full-text

Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Inflammatory and Biochemical Markers of Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ACTA MEDICA IRANICA ◽

10.18502/acta.v57i1.1754 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rozina Abasi Larki ◽

Alireza Panahi ◽

Leila Manzouri ◽

Moslem Sedaghattalab

Keyword(s):

Interleukin 6 ◽

Biochemical Markers ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Double Blind ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Abstract- The oxidative stress results in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases in patients receiving hemodialysis. N-acetylcysteine is a well-known antioxidant agent. There are little studies about the effect of N-acetylcysteine on patients receiving hemodialysis, and, if any, their results are inconsistent. This study, as a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, was conducted on 44 hemodialysis patients in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Yasuj, Iran in 2015. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, in the intervention group, N-acetylcysteine 600 mg every 12 hours for eight weeks was administered and the second group received placebo during this period every 12 hours. Blood samples were taken to measure C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and other biochemical markers such as ferritin, albumin, and creatinine at baseline and at the end of treatment. 40 patients completed the study (21 on N-acetylcysteine, 19 on placebo), with a mean age of 60.72±17.60. There was not any significant difference between intervention and control groups in interleukin-6 (8.85±6.9 vs. 10.32±8.68, 95% CI, -3.52 to 6.46; P=0.55) and C - reactive protein (0.85±0.29 vs. 0.9±0.31, 95% CI, -.14 to .24; P=0.60). In addition, there was no significant relationship between the two groups in other biochemical markers. In this study, administering N-acetylcysteine was safe and caused a reduction in some inflammatory markers, but these changes were not significant in comparison with placebo.

Download Full-text

An Internet Quiz Game Intervention for Adolescent Alcohol Drinking: A Clustered RCT

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.2021-051005 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Frederick K. Ho ◽

Keith T.S. Tung ◽

Rosa S. Wong ◽

Ko Ling Chan ◽

Wilfred H.S. Wong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Risk Ratio ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Retention Rate ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Group Differences ◽

The Internet ◽

Game Intervention

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Interventions on adolescent drinking have yielded mixed results. We assessed the effectiveness of an Internet quiz game intervention compared to conventional health education. METHODS In this cluster randomized controlled trial with parallel group design, we randomly allocated 30 participating schools to the Internet quiz game intervention or the conventional health education (comparison) group, with 1:1 ratio. Students of Hong Kong secondary schools (aged 12–15 years) were recruited. The intervention was a 4-week Web-based quiz game competition in which participating students answered 1000 alcohol-related multiple-choice quiz questions. The comparison group received a printed promotional leaflet and hyperlinks to alcohol-related information. RESULTS Of 30 eligible schools, 15 (4294 students) were randomly assigned to the Internet quiz game intervention group and 15 (3498 students) to the comparison group. Average age of participants was 13.30 years. No significant between-group differences were identified at baseline. Overall retention rate for students was 86.0%. At 1-month follow-up, fewer students in the intervention group reported drinking (9.8% vs 12.1%, risk ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68 to 0.92; P = .003), and those who drank reported drinking less alcohol (standardized difference β −0.06, 95% CI −0.11 to −0.01; P = .02). Between-group differences remained statistically significant at 3-month follow-up (10.4% vs 11.6%, risk ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.999; P = .048; β −0.06, 95% CI −0.11 to −0.01; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS The Internet quiz game intervention reduced underage drinking by 21% at 1-month and 14% at 3-month follow-up compared with conventional health education.

Download Full-text