TESTING AN MTM THEORY-BASED INTERVENTION ON REDUCING DROWSY DRIVING BEHAVIOR, "STAY AWAKE, STAY ALIVE, ©" AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS: AN EDUCATIONAL RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- Enrolling By Invitation
- 入组人数
- 72
- 试验地点
- 1
研究概览
简要总结
The goal of this randomized controlled educational study is to learn whether a structured, theory-based program can help reduce drowsy driving among college students (18 years and older) in Nevada. Drowsy driving means driving when you are very sleepy, tired, or struggling to stay alert. It is a serious safety problem because it can slow reaction time, reduce attention, and increase the risk of crashes, injuries, and even deaths. Many college students have irregular sleep schedules due to classes, jobs, late-night studying, and social activities, which can increase tiredness and increase the likelihood of drowsy driving.
Research question
- Is there a statistically and practically significant difference in the mean score of drowsy driving behavior in the experimental group (Multi-Theory Model (MTM)-based intervention, Stay Awake, Stay Alive©) and the comparison group (standard AAA (American Automobile Association)program-based intervention) from pre-intervention to post-intervention to two-week follow-up
- Is there a statistically and practically significant difference in the mean score (pre-intervention to post-intervention to two-week follow-up) for the intent to initiate reducing drowsy driving between the experimental (MTM-based intervention, Stay Awake, Stay Alive©) and comparison (standard AAA program-based intervention) groups?
- Is there a statistically and practically significant difference in the mean score (pre-intervention to post-intervention to two-week follow-up) for the intent to sustain the reduction of drowsy driving between the experimental (MTM-based intervention, Stay Awake, Stay Alive©) and comparison (standard AAA program-based intervention) groups?
Researchers will compare two groups to see which approach leads to greater improvement:
Group 1: MTM-based "Stay Awake, Stay Alive" program (interactive weekly sessions designed using behavior change theory).
Group 2: Standard drowsy driving education program, AAA (American Automobile Association) based education.
By comparing these groups, researchers can see whether the MTM-based program provides added benefit beyond standard education alone. Both groups receive the same overall time and attention, so differences in results can be linked more clearly to the program's strategies rather than to simply receiving education.
Participants will:
- Complete a short screening to confirm eligibility (for example, being 18+ and having recent experiences of drowsy driving)
- Provide informed consent before any study activities begin
- Be randomly assigned to one of the two programs
- Attend four weekly sessions (about 75 minutes each) over 4 weeks, with a short break and refreshments during sessions
- Complete surveys at three time points: Baseline (before the program begins), Post-intervention (after week 4), and Follow-up (after two weeks)
- Answer questions about their drowsy driving behavior and related influences, such as fatigue triggers, barriers to sleep, confidence to avoid driving when sleepy, and supports that make safe choices easier.
The study will measure changes in drowsy driving behavior and in MTM-related factors that may explain why these changes occur. For example, the MTM-based program helps students think about the benefits of avoiding drowsy driving (and the risks of continuing it), build behavioral confidence to choose safer options, and identify practical environmental supports (such as a safe place to rest, asking a friend for a ride, using ride-share or public transportation, or adjusting trip timing). It also supports emotional transformation (turning concern into motivation), practice for change (setting goals and tracking progress), and building a supportive social environment (friends and family encouraging safer choices).
During the sessions, participants may learn and practice real-world skills such as recognizing early warning signs of sleepiness (heavy eyelids, frequent yawning, drifting lanes, missing exits), using short rest breaks and safe "pull-over" plans, managing schedules to reduce late-night driving, and creating a personal action plan for high-risk situations (after work shifts, long study nights, or long-distance travel). The follow-up survey helps researchers see whether any improvements continue beyond the end of the 4-week program.
At the end of the study, results will help colleges, public health professionals, and road safety programs understand what types of education are most effective for preventing drowsy driving in young adults. If the MTM-based program is effective, it could be adapted and used more widely to improve student safety and reduce injuries related to drowsy driving. Participants who complete the final follow-up survey will receive an incentive.
详细描述
Drowsy driving among college students Drowsy driving among college students represents a significant public health and roadway safety concern due to the convergence of developmental, academic, and lifestyle-related risk factors. Emerging adulthood is characterized by irregular sleep-wake patterns, heightened academic demands, and social behaviors that may compromise sleep duration and quality. In a 2023 cross-sectional survey administered via Qualtrics (n = 725), 49.4% of respondents reported engaging in drowsy driving within the past month, underscoring the prevalence of this behavior in this population.
Insufficient sleep has been shown to increase crash risk by impairing critical cognitive and psychomotor functions, including sustained attention, processing speed, decision-making, and reaction time, all of which are essential for safe vehicle operation. Additionally, reliance on caffeine and energy drinks to counteract fatigue may produce a transient perception of alertness without fully restoring cognitive performance, potentially contributing to risk compensation and continued unsafe driving behavior.
Statement of the Problem Drowsy driving, defined as operating a motor vehicle while experiencing substantial sleepiness or fatigue, represents a significant public health and traffic safety concern, particularly among college-aged populations. Fatigue impairs neurocognitive and psychomotor functioning, including sustained attention, executive decision-making, vigilance, reaction time, and information processing speed, thereby increasing the likelihood of motor vehicle collisions. Although often underrecognized, drowsy driving is estimated to contribute to approximately 10%-20% of motor vehicle crashes in the United States, underscoring its substantial contribution to preventable injuries and fatalities.
College students constitute a high-risk group due to the convergence of academic demands, late-night study habits, part-time employment, irregular sleep-wake cycles, and socially driven sleep restriction. Emerging adulthood is also characterized by circadian phase delay, which may further reduce sleep duration and quality. Many students rely on caffeine and energy drinks to counteract fatigue. While these stimulants may temporarily enhance perceived alertness, they can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to persistent daytime sleepiness, thereby sustaining risk. Nearly half of college students report engaging in drowsy driving, highlighting the widespread nature of this behavior.
A major challenge is the gradual onset of sleep-related impairment. Early warning signs such as frequent yawning, difficulty keeping eyes open, reduced situational awareness, and unintended lane drifting are often subtle and dismissed. The use of sedating medications and alcohol further exacerbates impairment. These factors emphasize the need for targeted, theory-driven, evidence-based interventions to promote sleep health and reduce drowsy driving among college students.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Other
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •College student enrolled at a university in Nevada
- •Age ≥ 18 years
- •Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
- •Able to provide informed consent
- •Meets the "eligibility screener" items related to prior drowsy driving
排除标准
- •Fails the initial drowsy-driving eligibility screener
- •Medical/sleep disorders (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea) are deliberately excluded
研究者
Manoj Sharma
Professor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas