scholarly journals Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of the Eating Advice to Students (EATS) Brief Web-Based Nutrition Intervention for Young Adult University Students: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan C Whatnall ◽  
Amanda J Patterson ◽  
Simon Chiu ◽  
Christopher Oldmeadow ◽  
Melinda J Hutchesson
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
University Students ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The University ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Young adult university students are a priority population for nutrition intervention. This study assessed the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the EATS (Eating Advice to Students) brief (i.e., single use) web-based nutrition intervention for young adult university students. A 3-month pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 124 students aged 17–35 from the University of Newcastle, Australia. Participants were randomized to EATS (n = 62) or attention control (n = 62). EATS aimed to improve four target eating behaviors (vegetables, fruit, discretionary foods, breakfast). Primary outcomes were feasibility (recruitment, retention, usage, program acceptability). Recruitment and retention numbers were recorded, the program acceptability was assessed by a process evaluation survey and the website usage was objectively tracked. Preliminary efficacy was assessed via changes in diet quality (primary), fruit, vegetables, discretionary foods and breakfast intake, measured using Food Frequency Questionnaire. Recruitment was completed in five weeks. Retention was 73% (90/124) at 3-months. Intervention participants used EATS 1.5 ± 1.0 times. Satisfaction with EATS was rated at 4.04 ± 0.74 (maximum five). Intervention participants significantly decreased the percentage energy/day from discretionary foods compared with control (−4.8%, 95%CI −8.6, −1.1, p = 0.012, d = −0.34). No significant between-group differences were observed for diet quality, fruit, vegetable or breakfast intakes. EATS demonstrated high feasibility, particularly for reach and acceptability. The university setting and a brief web-based intervention show promise in engaging young adults to improve their eating behaviors.

scholarly journals The Web-Based Uprise Program for Mental Health in Australian University Students: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karra D Harrington ◽  
Robert Eres ◽  
Michelle H Lim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND University students are vulnerable to poor mental health, psychological distress, and loneliness relative to nonuniversity student peers. However, the rate of seeking mental health treatment among university students is low. Web-based psychological interventions may provide an opportunity for supporting vulnerable university students who are unlikely to otherwise seek support. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and efficacy of an existing web-based transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) mental health program for use among Australian university students. METHODS This is a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing a self-directed web-based CBT mental health program with a waitlist control. The self-directed modules will be augmented with optional webchat or telephone coaching with a therapist. The recruitment target is 70 university students who do not present with a clinical mental health disorder. Allocation will be made in a 1:1 ratio and will occur after the initial baseline assessment. Assessments will be completed at baseline, upon completion of a 4-week waitlist (waitlist group only), upon completion of the program, and at 3 months after completion of the program. RESULTS The trial was funded in June 2018, and the protocol was approved by the Swinburne University Human Research Ethics Committee in September 2018. Recruitment commenced in October 2018, with the first participant allocated in November 2018. A total of 70 participants were recruited to the trial. The trial recruitment ceased in June 2019, and data collection was finalized in December 2019. We expect the final data analysis to be completed by November 2020 and results to be published early in 2021. The primary outcomes are feasibility, acceptability, safety, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The secondary outcomes are psychological wellbeing, quality of life, loneliness, self-reported physical health status, emotion regulation, and cognitive and mindfulness processes. CONCLUSIONS The acceptability, feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a web-based mental health program in university students will be evaluated. Web-based mental health programs offer the opportunity to engage university students who may be reluctant to seek support through traditional face-to-face mental health services, and the transdiagnostic approach of the program has the potential to address the breadth of mental health concerns of university students. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12618001604291; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12618001604291 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/21307

scholarly journals The Web-Based Uprise Program for Mental Health in Australian University Students: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/21307 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e21307
Author(s):  
Karra D Harrington ◽  
Robert Eres ◽  
Michelle H Lim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background University students are vulnerable to poor mental health, psychological distress, and loneliness relative to nonuniversity student peers. However, the rate of seeking mental health treatment among university students is low. Web-based psychological interventions may provide an opportunity for supporting vulnerable university students who are unlikely to otherwise seek support. Objective The aim of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and efficacy of an existing web-based transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) mental health program for use among Australian university students. Methods This is a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing a self-directed web-based CBT mental health program with a waitlist control. The self-directed modules will be augmented with optional webchat or telephone coaching with a therapist. The recruitment target is 70 university students who do not present with a clinical mental health disorder. Allocation will be made in a 1:1 ratio and will occur after the initial baseline assessment. Assessments will be completed at baseline, upon completion of a 4-week waitlist (waitlist group only), upon completion of the program, and at 3 months after completion of the program. Results The trial was funded in June 2018, and the protocol was approved by the Swinburne University Human Research Ethics Committee in September 2018. Recruitment commenced in October 2018, with the first participant allocated in November 2018. A total of 70 participants were recruited to the trial. The trial recruitment ceased in June 2019, and data collection was finalized in December 2019. We expect the final data analysis to be completed by November 2020 and results to be published early in 2021. The primary outcomes are feasibility, acceptability, safety, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The secondary outcomes are psychological wellbeing, quality of life, loneliness, self-reported physical health status, emotion regulation, and cognitive and mindfulness processes. Conclusions The acceptability, feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a web-based mental health program in university students will be evaluated. Web-based mental health programs offer the opportunity to engage university students who may be reluctant to seek support through traditional face-to-face mental health services, and the transdiagnostic approach of the program has the potential to address the breadth of mental health concerns of university students. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12618001604291; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12618001604291 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/21307

scholarly journals A Brief Web-Based Nutrition Intervention for Young Adult University Students: Development and Evaluation Protocol Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Whatnall ◽  
Amanda Patterson ◽  
Melinda Hutchesson
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
University Students ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
Web Based

BACKGROUND Young adults are a priority population for nutrition interventions because of the high prevalence of unhealthy eating behaviors, high risk of weight gain, and the importance of this life stage for developing lifelong eating behaviors. Innovative intervention strategies are needed to reach and engage young adults, whereas more detailed reporting of intervention development and testing would facilitate progress in this challenging research area. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the development of the EATS (Eating Advice To Students) intervention, a targeted, brief Web-based nutrition intervention for young adult (17 to 35 years) university students, and describes the pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess intervention feasibility. METHODS EATS was developed using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. The development involved a cross-sectional survey of university students’ eating behaviors and determinants, a systematic review of brief nutrition interventions, and consultation with a project steering committee. EATS was developed as a website with 4 components: (1) brief screening quiz with personalized feedback, (2) provision of information, tips, and strategies for each target eating behavior (consumption of vegetables, fruit, discretionary foods, and breakfast) and 2 guided exercises to facilitate behavior change, (3) goal setting, and (4) creating strategies. A pilot RCT with students from the University of Newcastle, Australia, was conducted from February to July 2018. The students were randomized to EATS or a brief Web-based alcohol intervention (attention control). The process evaluation included intervention acceptability (Web-based survey postintervention completion) and objective usage data (collected in real time). Efficacy data (Web-based survey at baseline and 3 months) included diet quality, consumption of target food groups (eg, fruits and vegetables), alcohol intake, self-efficacy to perform target eating behaviors, and well-being. RESULTS Collection of the 3-month follow-up data was completed in July 2018. CONCLUSIONS EATS presents an innovative solution to many of the difficulties faced in targeting young adults to improve their eating behaviors. Given the strong methodological approach undertaken, this study provides a significant contribution to advance this research area. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000118202; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374365&isReview=true (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/765o5fVwa) INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/11992

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Web-Based Asthma Self-Management System, My Asthma Portal (MAP): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. e313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Ahmed ◽  
Pierre Ernst ◽  
Susan J Bartlett ◽  
Marie-France Valois ◽  
Tasneem Zaihra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Management System ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
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