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NCT Number: NCT06597890

Move@NUS: a Digital Intervention Cohort Promoting Healthy Movement Behaviours

The aim of the Move@NUS pilot study is to determine the feasibility of establishing a digital intervention cohort to monitor and improve the health and wellbeing of students by encouraging them to engage in healthy movement behaviours (i.e., physical activity, sleep, and limiting smartphone-based recreational screentime).

The digital intervention cohort consists of:

* 6-months of continuous monitoring of movement behaviours, wellbeing and related factors via an Apple Watch and repeated bursts of ecological momentary assessments (EMAs). * 3x embedded randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of small-scale smartphone-based interventions designed to nudge participants toward participating in healthier movement behaviours.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Inactivity Behavior Dyssomnias Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being Sedentary Behavior Signs and Symptoms Sleep Deprivation Sleep Insufficiency Sleep Wake Disorders Well-Being, Psychological

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Good overall mental and physical health and wellbeing can be promoted by engaging in healthy movement behaviours - getting adequate sleep, being physically active, and minimising recreational time spent watching a screen or being sedentary. The objectives of this study are to determine the feasibility of:

  • establishing a digital cohort study and continuously monitoring health behaviours and wellbeing (and related factors) for 6 months, and
  • rapidly evaluating the effects of ecological momentary interventions (EMIs; small-scale interventions that provide support in real-time, delivered via the smartwatch and app) for promoting healthy movement behaviours via a series of embedded RCTs.

The investigators will enrol up to 150 first-year university students into an innovative hybrid study that combines a digital cohort with embedded randomised controlled trials (RCTs). The digital cohort consists of 6 months of continuous observations of movement behaviours, wellbeing, and related factors via a smartwatch (Apple Watch) and repeated bursts of smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys. Throughout the 6-month monitoring period, participants are enrolled in 3 embedded RCTs evaluating the effects of EMIs that, in turn, target sleep, physical activity, and smartphone-based recreational screentime. For each embedded-RCT we assess engagement and acceptability outcomes (e.g., whether a push notification is opened, whether it is responded to), and preliminary efficacy (i.e., whether there is a between group difference in the target behaviour from pre- to post-intervention). Participants also complete traditional questionnaires at baseline, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Participants are eligible to join the study if they:

  • are enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate degree at the National University of Singapore,
  • own or use an Apple smartphone with a data plan,
  • are willing to download and use a smartphone app, and
  • have an Apple smartwatch (Series 6/SE or newer) and are willing to wear it continuously for the 6-month study duration.

Participants will be excluded if they are:

  • pregnant, or
  • planning to be overseas for more than 6 weeks (per trip) during the upcoming semester.

Treatment and study plan

educational content (sleep hygiene)

Behavioral

app-based sleep hygiene-related educational content

sleep hygiene strategies

Behavioral

app-based self-selection of sleep hygiene strategies

Reminders

Behavioral

daily reminders sent via push notifications

review of behavioural goal

Behavioral

app-based review of behavioural goal

educational content (sleep guidelines)

Behavioral

app-based educational content on recommended sleep guidelines

comparison of current behaviour to ideal behaviour

Behavioral

use of smartwatch/smartphone data to assess current behaviour and compare it to ideal behaviour

Goal setting

Behavioral

prompt participant to set a goal in relation to targeted behaviour

educational content (Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity (VILPA))

Behavioral

app-based educational content on VILPA

screentime breaks

Behavioral

repeated daily reminders to break up screentime

Primary outcomes

  1. RCT 1. Sleep

    Time frame: week 1 (pre-intervention), week 3 (intervention midpoint), week 5 (post-intervention), and continuously throughout the 6-month study

    Sleep duration, as assessed via Apple Watch

  2. RCT 2. Physical activity

    Time frame: week 6 (pre-intervention), week 8 (intervention midpoint), week 10 (post-intervention), and continuously throughout the 6-month study

    Step counts, as assessed via Apple Watch

  3. RCT 2. Physical activity

    Time frame: week 6 (pre-intervention), week 8 (intervention midpoint), week 10 (post-intervention), and continuously throughout the 6-month study

    Flights of stairs climbed, as assessed via Apple Watch

  4. RCT 2. Physical activity

    Time frame: week 6 (pre-intervention), week 8 (intervention midpoint), week 10 (post-intervention), and continuously throughout the 6-month study

    Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, as assessed via Apple Watch

  5. RCT 3. Screentime

    Time frame: week 6 (pre-intervention), week 8 (intervention midpoint), week 10 (post-intervention), and continuously throughout the 6-month study

    Screenshots of passively captured smartphone screentime data

  6. Wellbeing

    Time frame: Continuously over 6-months

    Mental wellbeing, WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5; World Health Organisation). Min value 0, max value 100; higher scores indicate greater wellbeing.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Mingyue C Chen

CONTACT

[email protected]

+6591709231

Sarah M Edney, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+6591709231

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National University of Singapore

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Move@NUS: Pilot Study of a Digital Intervention Cohort to Promote Healthy Sleep, Screen Viewing, and Physical Activity Habits for Improved Health and Wellbeing

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Sep 19, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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