Pedro Sousa1,2, Emília Duarte3, Regina Ferreira4, Ana Esperança5, Roberta Frontini2, Rita Santos-Rocha6,7, Luís Luís1,2, Sara S Dias1,2,8, Nuno Marques9,10. 1. School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal. 2. Centre for Innovative Care and Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Castelo Branco, Portugal. 3. School of Health Sciences Dr. Lopes Dias, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco, Portugal. 4. CIIS-UCP, UI-IPSantarém, School of Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarem, Portugal. 5. Câmara Municipal de Leiria, Leiria, Portugal. 6. Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, Santarem, Portugal. 7. Neuromechanics of Human Movement Group, Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. 8. EpiDoC Unit, CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NMS-UNL), Lisboa, Portugal. 9. Design and Arts Research Lab (LIDA), Observatory on Inclusion and Accessibility in Action (iACT) - CICS.NOVA.IPLeiria, Leiria, Portugal. 10. School of Arts and Design (ESAD.CR), Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.
Abstract
AIM: This paper describes the design and rationale of multicenter practice-based research that aims to develop and evaluate an innovative mobile health (mHealth) intervention programme directed to promote healthy behaviours and prevent adolescent obesity. DESIGN: This study is designed as a non-randomized controlled trial with a three-arm structure. METHODS:Twelve to 16 years old participants will be recruited from schools, with access to the Internet and smartphone/tablet devices. The intervention group will be invited to engage in the TeenPower mHealth programme and divided into two subgroups: Group A (additionally engaged in a structured school-based intervention programme) and Group B (only engaged in the mHealth programme). The mHealth app includes educational resources, self-monitoring, social support, interactive training modules and motivational tools. The control group will only follow the structured school-based intervention programme. The intervention length will be 3 months, including the direct support of an interdisciplinary team (nursing, nutrition, sports, psychology, among others). This research was approved and funded in August 2017. DISCUSSION: The positive evaluation of the intervention programme will stimulate the inclusion of technologies in the promotion of salutogenic behaviours and obesity prevention. IMPACT: Adolescent obesity reached epidemic proportions. It is urgent to find effective prevention strategies to induce change at the individual, family and community level. If effective, this protocol can be used by health and exercise professionals in improving community interventions tailored to teenagers.
RCT Entities:
AIM: This paper describes the design and rationale of multicenter practice-based research that aims to develop and evaluate an innovative mobile health (mHealth) intervention programme directed to promote healthy behaviours and prevent adolescent obesity. DESIGN: This study is designed as a non-randomized controlled trial with a three-arm structure. METHODS: Twelve to 16 years old participants will be recruited from schools, with access to the Internet and smartphone/tablet devices. The intervention group will be invited to engage in the TeenPower mHealth programme and divided into two subgroups: Group A (additionally engaged in a structured school-based intervention programme) and Group B (only engaged in the mHealth programme). The mHealth app includes educational resources, self-monitoring, social support, interactive training modules and motivational tools. The control group will only follow the structured school-based intervention programme. The intervention length will be 3 months, including the direct support of an interdisciplinary team (nursing, nutrition, sports, psychology, among others). This research was approved and funded in August 2017. DISCUSSION: The positive evaluation of the intervention programme will stimulate the inclusion of technologies in the promotion of salutogenic behaviours and obesity prevention. IMPACT: Adolescent obesity reached epidemic proportions. It is urgent to find effective prevention strategies to induce change at the individual, family and community level. If effective, this protocol can be used by health and exercise professionals in improving community interventions tailored to teenagers.