Actively Recruiting
Effectiveness of a Peer-led Personalized Support Program Using Instant Messaging Applications and a Self-determination Theory-based Intervention to Help Young Drug Abusers Quit Drugs: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by Chinese University of Hong Kong · Updated on 2025-05-31
200
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led personalized support program using instant messaging apps and a self-determination theory-based approach to help young drug abusers quit drugs. The study involves adolescent drug abusers aged 35 or below in Hong Kong and compares an intervention group receiving personalized support with a control group receiving standard brief intervention. The goal is to see if the intervention group has greater success in reducing drug use and improving health-related quality of life over 12 months. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or control group. Both groups receive a brief telephone intervention using the Ask, Warn, Advise, Refer and Do-it-Again (AWARD) model delivered by trained peer supporters. The intervention group additionally receives weekly instant messages via WhatsApp or WeChat for the first 6 months, plus four short videos about drug risks and benefits of quitting, to support healthy lifestyle changes. Minimal messages are sent between 6 and 12 months to maintain contact. The control group receives similar messages and videos focusing on quitting drugs without personalized lifestyle support. Throughout the 12-month study, participants will be assessed by phone at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Measures include drug use history, drug dependency, readiness to quit, relapse risk, quality of life, withdrawal symptoms, and other health behaviors. Peer supporters will be trained and evaluated for professional knowledge improvement. Data will be analyzed to assess changes in drug use and related outcomes over time. The study expects to enroll about 200 drug-using youths and recruit 80 university students as peer supporters.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Peer-led Personalized Support Program
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be aged 35 or below
- Be able to communicate in Cantonese
- Have a history of drug abuse within the past 12 months
- For peer supporters: be aged 18 to 35
- For peer supporters: have a medical background
- For peer supporters: complete training and pass peer supporter qualification evaluation
You will not qualify if you...
- Psychologically or physically unable to communicate
- For peer supporters: psychologically or physically unable to communicate
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit (telephone)
Duration - 6 months
Participants receive a brief telephone intervention delivered by trained peer supporters using the AWARD model. They are asked about their drug abuse history and advised on quitting drugs or engaging in other health-related lifestyles. Participants receive weekly instant messaging support via WhatsApp or WeChat for the first 6 months, including four short videos about the risks of drug abuse and benefits of quitting.
Weekly messages via instant messaging and assessments by telephone at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months
Duration - 6 months
After the initial 6 months of active messaging, participants receive minimal messages from peer supporters to maintain contact and support. Assessments continue via telephone to monitor progress in quitting drugs and other health-related outcomes.
Assessments by telephone at 9 months and 12 months with occasional messaging
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
H
Ho Cheung William Li
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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