Promoting healthy teenage behaviour across three European countries through the use of a novel smartphone technology platform, PEGASO fit for future: study protocol of a quasi-experimental, controlled, multi-Centre trial

Puigdomenech, Elisa; Martin, Anne; Lang, Alexandra; Adorni, Fulvio; Gomez, Santiago Felipe; McKinstry, Brian; Prinelli, Federica; Condon, Laura; Rashid, Rajeeb; Caon, Maurizio; Atkinson, Sarah; Lafortuna, Claudio L.; Ciociola, Valentina; Hanley, Janet; McCloughan, Lucy; Castell, Conxa; Espallargues, Mireia; and on behalf of the PEGASO Fit For Future Consortium

Abstract

Background: Behaviour change interventions targeting physical activity, diet, sleep and sedentary behaviour of teenagers show promise when delivered through smartphones. However, to date there is no evidence of effectiveness of multicomponent smartphone-based interventions. Utilising a user-centred design approach, we
developed a theory-based, multi-dimensional system, PEGASO Fit For Future (PEGASO F4F), which exploits sophisticated game mechanics involving smartphone applications, a smartphone game and activity sensors to motivate teenagers to take an active role in adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This paper describes the
study protocol to assess the feasibility, usability and effectiveness (knowledge/awareness and behavioural change in lifestyle) of the PEGASO system.

Methods: We are conducting a quasi-experimental controlled cluster trial in 4 sites in Spain, Italy, and UK (England, Scotland) over 6 months. We plan to recruit 525, in a 2:1 basis, teenagers aged 13–16 years from secondary schools. The intervention group is provided with the PEGASO system whereas the comparison group continues their usual educational routine. Outcomes include feasibility, acceptance, and usability of the PEGASO system as well as between and within group changes in motivation, self-reported diet, physical activity, sedentary and sleeping behaviour, anthropometric measures and knowledge about a healthy lifestyle.

Discussion: PEGASO F4F will provide evidence into the cross-cultural similarities and differences in the feasibility, acceptability and usability of a multi-dimensional smartphone based behaviour change intervention for teenagers. The study will explore facilitating factors, challenges and barriers of engaging teenagers to adapt and maintain a healthy lifestyle when using smartphone technology. Positive results from this ICT based multi component intervention may have significant implications both at clinical level, improving teenagers health and at public health level since it can present an influential tool against the development of chronic disease during adulthood.

Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov Registration number: NCT02930148, registered 4 October 2016.

Citation

Puigdomenech, E., Martin, A., Lang, A., Adorni, F., Gomez, S. F., McKinstry, B., …and on behalf of the PEGASO Fit For Future Consortium. (2019). Promoting healthy teenage behaviour across three European countries through the use of a novel smartphone technology platform, PEGASO fit for future: study protocol of a quasi-experimental, controlled, multi-Centre trial. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 19(1), Article 278. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-019-0958-x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 4, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 17, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Deposit Date: Dec 9, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 8, 2020
• Journal: BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
• Electronic ISSN: 1472-6947
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 278
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-019-0958-x
• Keywords: Adolescents, Obesity prevention, Behaviour change, Physical activity, Diet, Sleep, Sedentary behaviour, Health promotion, Mobile health, mHealth, eHealth, Smartphone application, Serious game
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3515877
• Publisher URL: https://bmcmedinformdecismak.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12911-019-0958-x#Sec24
• Additional Information: Received: 19 October 2018; Accepted: 4 November 2019; First Online: 17 December 2019; : Ethical approval has been granted by the clinical research ethics committee (CEIC) of all four intervention sites: South East Scotland Research Ethics Committee in Scotland and England (16/SS/0163; AMO SA1), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico of Milan in Italy (212_2016) and CEIC of Institut d’Investigació en Atenció Primaria de Salut Jordi Gol (IDIAP Jordi Gol) in Spain (P16/113). Participants and their guardians provided written informed consent.; : Not applicable.; : The authors declare that they have no competing interests.