Evaluation of Innovative School-based Interventions on Health Outcomes Among Primary School Students During Post COVID-19 Pandemic

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Childhood Obesity; Sleep Problems; Physical Activity

• Registration Number: NCT06766890
• Lead Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong

Brief Summary

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of innovative school-based (WeJoy + WeHop) on depressive symptoms, physical activities, and sleep quality among primary 3 to 5 school children.

Method: A sample of 408 school children will be recruited from primary schools in Hong Kong. This study will adopt a 2 two-group pre and post-design. Participants are randomly assigned equally into 1 intervention group (WeJoy+WeHop) and 1 control group (Routine Extra curriculum Activity). Participants will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The outcomes are depressive symptoms, physical activities, and sleep quality, using the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), the Chinese Version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-C), and the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-C).

Data analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistics will be performed to examine the research objectives.

Detailed Description

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered children's lifestyles, calling for particular attention. Psychological problems, obesity, and sleep disturbance in children have become more prevalent throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. It is vital to develop preventative interventions to enhance psychological well-being, prevent obesity, and improve sleep health. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in preventing psychological problems, obesity, and sleep problems in children. The provision of CBT faces obstacles such as a shortage of therapists, stigma, protracted wait times, and high costs. Evidence revealed that children prefer interventions with interactive, relatable, and game-like content to improve their engagement.

School-based CBT (WeJoy) allows children to recognize, change, and partake in pleasant activities based on the CBT model. The WeJoy comprises six weekly sessions on psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, behavioural activation, emotional regulation, and self-monitoring. Exergaming on the interactive floor (WeHop) using a portable interactive projector games system. The WeHop can gain a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to help them regulate their emotions and maintain positive behaviours according to the Self-Determination Theory. Children participate in the interactive floor games by stepping on various targets and moving in response to the game's rules. Combining task division, cooperation, and taking turns constitutes the collaboration mechanism.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Study First Submitted: 2024-12-31
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-06
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-09
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-09
• Study Start: 2025-02-24
• Primary Completion: 2027-12-31
• Study Completion: 2028-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 408

Inclusion Criteria

• Primary students ranged from primary 3 to 5 school children.
• Obtained consent forms from their legal guardians.

Read More

Exclusion Criteria

• Primary students in primary 1 due to the adaptation of the new environment.
• Primary 6 due to the preparation of the examinations for secondary schools.

Read More

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Psychological outcome: Depressive symptoms	baseline, pre-intervention and immediately after the intervention	Depressive symptoms will be assessed by the Chinese version of 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children, CES-DC

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical activity	baseline, pre-intervention and immediately after the intervention	Level of physical activities will be measured by the Chinese Version of 7-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ-C
Sleep outcomes include subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction	baseline, pre-intervention and immediately after the intervention	Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction will be assessed by the Chinese version of 19-item Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Chinese PSQI

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong