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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01698034

Volunteering and Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents

This study tested whether getting youth engaged in helping others (volunteering) would benefit youth's physical health. 106 predominantly minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) youth were randomized to either volunteer weekly with elementary school children in after school programs or to a wait-list control group. The investigators hypothesized that cardiovascular risk markers of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), total cholesterol, and body mass index (BMI) would be lower at post-intervention (4 months after baseline) in the volunteer group compared to the control group. The investigators also hypothesized that the intervention might work through pathways such as reducing negative mood, improving self esteem, and increasing prosocial behaviors (empathy, altruism).

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Key information

Conditions

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Vancouver Technical Secondary School

Vancouver, British Columbia, V5M1Y5, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 10th grade high school student
  • English speaking
  • No chronic illnesses

Exclusion criteria

  • Chronic medical illness

Treatment and study plan

Volunteering

Behavioral

Weekly volunteering with elementary school children in after school programs

Primary outcomes

  1. Body mass index

    Time frame: Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months

  2. C-reactive protein

    Time frame: Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months

  3. Interleukin-6

    Time frame: Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months

  4. Total Cholesterol

    Time frame: Baseline-adjusted post-intervention scores at 4 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of British Columbia

Other

Collaborators

  • HopeLab Foundation
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
  • William T. Grant Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

How Volunteer Programs Affect Health and Well-being in Low-income Youth

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Oct 2, 2012
Registry last updated
Oct 4, 2012

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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