ACT-based EMI in College Students
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: ACT-based ecological momentary intervention, Mood monitoring.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Healthy Participants Study. Basic parameters: No limits · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Assessing the Feasibility, Acceptability and Effectiveness of an Transdiagnostic Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based Ecological Momentary Intervention in College Students: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
This study aims to evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of a transdiagnostic, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based ecological momentary intervention (EMI) among college students. A mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to assess its impact on psychological flexibility, well-being and mental health outcomes.
Detailed description
Mental health issues are prevalent among college students, yet traditional interventions often face barriers related to accessibility and engagement. This study explores the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a transdiagnostic ACT-based EMI designed to deliver in-the-moment psychological support via digital platforms. A mixed-methods pilot RCT will be conducted, with participants randomly assigned to either the ACT-based EMI group or a mood monitoring group. Quantitative measures will assess changes in psychological flexibility, stress, anxiety, depression, and well-being, while qualitative interviews will provide insights into user experience, engagement, and perceived benefits or barriers. Findings from this study will inform the optimization of ACT-based digital interventions for college students and contribute to the growing field of personalized, technology-assisted mental health care.
Interventions
- Behavioral ACT-based ecological momentary intervention
The intervention is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and includes the six core processes (being present, acceptance, defusion, self-as-content, values, and taking action). It is delivered in the form of an ecological momentary intervention (EMI), lasting for 7 days with two sessions per day. The intervention aims to enhance mental health, well-being, and psychological flexibility. - Other Mood monitoring
Participants do not receive any intervention. During the intervention period, they only need to complete ecological momentary assessments twice a day.
Primary outcome measures
- Overall mental health [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (1 week after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Psychological distress [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (1 week after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Mental well-being [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (1 week after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Psychological flexibility and inflexibility [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (1 week after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
- Acceptability [Time frame: post-intervention (one week after baseline)]
Secondary outcome measures (9)
- State anxiety and depression [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- State stress [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- State well-being [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- State subjective happiness [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- State affect [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- State psychological flexibility [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- State psychological inflexibility [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- State suicide ideation [Time frame: During the 7-day intervention period, measurements are conducted twice per day.]
- Suicide ideation [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention); Immediately after the intervention (1 week after baseline); 1-month follow-up (1 month after intervention)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Participants in our study are healthy college students
- have smartphone, and have access to the internet
Exclusion criteria
- currently participating in another research
- have significant cognitive impairment that prevents participation in the research
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
China · 1 center
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hong Kong
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06843395 · HSEARS20250214003