Chatbot Intervention to Reduce Common Digital Addictions, Sedentary Behaviors and Mental Distress Among Adolescents

Last updated: February 9, 2025
Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Addictions

Treatment

Control

Chatbot

Clinical Study ID

NCT06821373
20210481
  • Ages 10-19
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The goal of the study is to investigate the efficacy of a secondary low-intensity stage of change (SoC) and motivational interviewing (MI)-based Chatbot-assisted intervention in reducing digital addictions in adolescents with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) and/or social media addiction (SMA) by conducting a RCT.

Hypothesis: The intervention group will show a greater reduction in rates of IGD and/or SMA at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up than the control group.

Design and subjects: A two-armed RCT between the intervention group and psycho-educational control group for adolescents aged 10-19 with excessive screen time. Screening, baseline, post-programme, and 3-month follow-up evaluations will be conducted.

Participants will:

Be randomly assigned to online brief intervention or psycho-educational control

Complete questionnaires evaluating 1 ) Primary outcomes (IGD, SMA), 2) Secondary outcomes (sedentary lifestyle, mental distress, quality of life, eHealth literacy) and 3) Mediators/mechanisms (autonomy, competence)

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Students at grades 5-6 in primary schools or grades 7-12 in secondary schools,

  • Positive screening results of IGD and/or SMA) based on the validated screening tools

  • Using smartphone or Internet on a daily base, 4) students' and parental consent,

  • Chinese speaking.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current use of any psychotropic medication.

Study Design

Total Participants: 330
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Control
Phase:
Study Start date:
September 01, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2025

Connect with a study center

  • JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

    Hong Kong,
    Hong Kong

    Active - Recruiting

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