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Evaluation of a Couple-based Psycho-socio-educational Intervention Using WeChat/WhatsApp on Dyadic Psychological and Sleep Outcomes

NCT07736378 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 336

Last updated 2026-07-30

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Background: Pregnancy is a challenging time, and couples frequently experience psychological and sleep problems. Despite the dyadic effects of these problems, most interventions have focused on pregnant women alone, not on couples. The research team developed an innovative intervention targeting couples during pregnancy to fill the research gaps.

Objectives: (1) examine the effects of couple-based psycho-socio-educational intervention using WeChat/WhatsApp (WeLove) on dyadic psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, stress symptoms), sleep quality, and life satisfaction with wearable data (stress, heart rate, and sleep quality) immediately after the intervention, with follow-up assessments at 3 months and 12 months after the intervention; and (2) examine the interdependence between psychological symptoms and sleep quality in pregnant women and their partners.

Methods: WeLove is a 6-week online intervention through WeChat/WhatsApp based on theoretical and evidence-based support. A three-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial will be used among 336 couples. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups and 112 couples per group: intervention 1 (couples for WeLove), intervention 2 (pregnant women for WeLove), or the control group (use WeChat/WhatsApp as normal). Participants will be assessed pre- and post-intervention, with follow-up assessments at 3 months and 12 months after the intervention. Generalized estimating equation analysis and thematic analysis will be performed to examine the research objectives.

Potential contributions: The findings will provide a cost-effective way to improve psychological and sleep outcomes in couples. Policymakers can use the study's results as evidence to consider an innovative intervention that aims to improve antenatal services in Hong Kong.

Conditions

  • Sleep Problems
  • Psychological
  • Well-Being, Psychological

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Couple-based psycho-socio-educational intervention using WeChat/WhatsApp

There are 6-week sessions. Each session has (1) two short videos, (2) quizzes, (3) homework, (4) Q\&A sessions, and (5) professional support and additional resources accessible via navigable weblinks. Every session will focus on a certain topic and offer specialized advice. The participants will receive biweekly professional support through video conferencing to consolidate the content and address homework. Each session takes 15 to 20 minutes to finish. In addition, the research team will approach each participant via WeChat or WhatsApp for consolidating their knowledge after sessions 2, 4, and 6. The duration of contact ranged from 10 to 15 minutes. Each participant can finish the session at a flexible pace.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hospital Authority, Hong Kong

    collaborator OTHER_GOV

  • Chinese University of Hong Kong

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-07-16
Primary Completion
2029-07-14
Completion
2030-07-14

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07736378 on ClinicalTrials.gov