Effect of a Programme Including an AI-enhanced Mobile Application on the Mental Well- Being of Young Adolescents in Hong Kong

Summary

Study Aim and Methods (≈250 words) It aims to evaluate the effectiveness, user perceptions, and applicability of the e-CAMP intervention in improving mental well-being and reducing depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 11-15 years. The primary research question is whether e-CAMP can significantly reduce depressive symptoms, measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Secondary objectives are to examine whether e-CAMP : improves mental health literacy using the Chinese-version Universal Mental Health Literacy Scale for Adolescents (UMHL), promotes healthier smart device use as measured by the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), increases physical activity assessed through the Global Adolescent and Child Physical Activity Questionnaire (GAC-PAQ) , and to evaluate participants' perceptions of the intervention's applicability, acceptability through survey.

A prospective two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) following CONSORT 2010 guidelines will be conducted in eight eligible Hong Kong schools, which will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or usual-care group. A process evaluation will also be undertaken.

320 students will be recruited with inclusion criteria : Chinese students aged 11-15 years (Primary 5 to Secondary 2) with parental consent. Students with physical, cognitive, or mental conditions that may affect participation will be excluded.

Students in the intervention group will receive usual school care and access to the e-CAMP mobile app, which they will be encouraged to use at least three times weekly for eight weeks (10-15 minutes per session). Students in the control group will receive usual school care, including a 45-minute nurse-led health talk and PowerPoint handouts.

Conditions

• Mental Health
• Depression and/or Anxiety in the Mild-to-moderate Range

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Control Group :health talk and usual care by school

control group-usual care . Eligible students will receive usual school care, a 45-minute health talk delivered by a nurse . The health talk, titled 'Enhance mental well-being and prevent depression', has been generated from e-CAMP app content. A PowerPoint handout will be provided to all participants after the health talk.

DEVICE

mobile app group

In addition to receiving the usual school care, participants in intervention schools will be provided a QR code and installation guide and instructed to install the e-CAMP mobile app. WhatsApp groups will be established among students (approx. 15 students/class), volunteer schoolteachers, and research assistants (RAs) to facilitate communication and address inquiries. Participants will be encouraged to use the e-CAMP app at least thrice weekly during the first 8 weeks of the intervention. Each usage session is expected to last approximately 10-15 minutes. Participants can share and discuss the e-CAMP app with their parents.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chinese University of Hong Kong

  collaborator OTHER

• Hong Kong Metropolitan University

  collaborator OTHER

• Tung Wah College

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Eliza ML Wong, PhD · Tung Wah College

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

11 Years

Max Age

15 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-08-03

Primary Completion

2027-07-31

Completion

2028-12-31

Countries

• China

Study Locations