The RealU2 is a randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of an online health and wellness program for young adults with the addition of individualized peer health coaching.
The RealU addresses smoking in a young adult population of occasional and daily smokers. Aim 1. To determine the efficacy of providing individually tailored smoking cessation messages as part of a general interest website for young adults. Aim 2. To determine the efficacy of providing individually tailored smoking cessation messages plus peer email, phone and online support as part of a general interest website for young adults. Participants were recruited via direct emails sent to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of MI as well as direct emails sent to participants from Survey Sampling International and National Data Group. Individuals were invited to complete an online survey about health and hope in young adults. Participants eligible for the full intervention were invited to join the RealU Study. Participants were asked to complete an online enrollment survey and consent form. Eligible, enrolled participants were randomly assigned to one of the following three study arms: * an untailored general interest/lifestyle website * an individually tailored web intervention about health and lifestyle * an individually tailored web intervention about health and lifestyle with coaching from peers, including video, phone, and email Assessments were conducted at 7 weeks and 12 weeks post-enrollment. The primary outcome measure is self-reported 30-day abstinence at 12 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,699
The tailored website included 6 weeks of content about making healthy lifestyle choices, eating breakfast, exercising, reducing drinking and quitting smoking. Each week, participants were asked to check in with their past week's behavior, and to set goals for the next week's check-in.
Participants chose a peer coach, who reviewed the participant's check-in data and goals, and provided personalized feedback to help the participant reach those goals. Interaction took place via personalized videos recorded each week and uploaded to a participant's web profile, and through pro-active phone calls to the participants each week.
Content about lifestyle issues (music, travel, dating) was created for participants assigned to the control group. There was new web content each week for 6 weeks.
Self-reported 30-day abstinence at Week 12
Participants were asked how many days they had smoked in the past 30 days during the follow-up survey conducted 12-13 weeks post-enrollment.
Time frame: 12 weeks post-enrollment
Self reported 7-day abstinence at 7 weeks
Participants were asked to select which of the days in the past 7 (Sun-Sat) they had smoked even one puff.
Time frame: 7-weeks post-enrollment
Self-reported 7-day abstinence at Week 12
Participants were asked to select which days in the past 7 (Sun-Sat) they had smoked at least one puff.
Time frame: 12-weeks post-enrollment
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