Psychological CapitalNCT05718973
A Short, Animated Storytelling Video to Boost Psychological Capital
A study testing short, animated storytelling video (intervention video) in people with Psychological Capital, run by University Hospital Freiburg.
Trial summary
This study will evaluate the effect of a short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital intervention on immediate and medium-term psychological capital and related constructs, gratitude and happiness. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 59 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Psychological Capital
- What is being tested?
- short, animated storytelling video (intervention video)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 10,000 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2023to 31 Aug 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 59 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Registration with the Prolific platform
Who cannot join
- none
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet.
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of a Short, Animated Storytelling Video to Boost Psychological Capital in the Post-pandemic Era: a Randomized Controlled Trial
This study will evaluate the effect of a short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital intervention on immediate and medium-term psychological capital and related constructs, gratitude and happiness. We will also measure voluntary engagement with the content of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital.
In this 4-armed, parallel, randomized controlled trial, 10,000 adult, US participants will be randomly assigned to (1) a short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital followed by the psychological capital , gratitude and happiness surveys (2) the surveys only, (3) an attention placebo control video followed by the before mentioned surveys, and (4) an arm that is exposed to neither the video nor the surveys. Two weeks later, participants in all four arms will complete all of the surveys.
The primary outcome is psychological capital (immediate and medium-term). Secondary outcomes are gratitude and happiness (immediate and medium-term) as well as voluntary engagement with the short, animated storytelling video content.
- Conditions
- Psychological Capital
- Being tested
- short, animated storytelling video (intervention video), short, animated storytelling attention placebo video
- Keywords
- psychological capital, education entertainment intervention, short, animated storytelling
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
short, animated storytelling video (intervention video)Other
Participants in the Intervention Arm will view a short, animated storytelling video designed to promote psychological capital.
short, animated storytelling attention placebo videoOther
The Attention Placebo Control Arm will view an attention placebo control video, unrelated to the outcomes measured in this trial.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Arm | Experimental | At Time 1, the Intervention Arm will view a short, animated storytelling video designed to promote psychological capital and, immediately thereafter, complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 as well as a single-item validated happiness scale.
Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. Receives: Other: short, animated storytelling video (intervention video) |
| Scale-Exposed Control Arm | No intervention | The Scale-Exposed Control Arm will watch no video content at Time 1, but will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 as well as a single-item validated happiness scale. Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. |
| Attention Placebo Control Arm | Placebo comparator | The Attention Placebo Control Arm will view an attention placebo control video, unrelated to the outcomes measured in this trial, before completing the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale.
Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. Receives: Other: short, animated storytelling attention placebo video |
| Un-exposed Control Arm | No intervention | The Un-exposed Control Arm will neither watch video content, nor complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale at Time 1. Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital
The immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital, as measured by the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale.
Measured: immediately after watching the video
Secondary outcomes (3)
Medium-term effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on psychological capital
The medium-term effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on psychological capital after two weeks.
Measured: 2 weeks
Immediate effect of the short, animated storytellingintervention video on gratitude and happiness
The effect of the short, animated storytellingintervention video on gratitude and happiness, both related to the construct of positive psychological capital
Measured: immediately after watching the video
Medium-term effect of exposure to psychological capital and related psychological scales on these same outcomes
The effect of exposure to psychological capital and related psychological scales on these same outcomes, measured two weeks later
Measured: 2 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Feb 2023
- Study start1 Jun 2023 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Jul 2023 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Aug 2023 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Psychological CapitalStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is a 4-armed, parallel, randomized controlled trial, conducted purely online
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 10,000 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital Freiburg
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Stanford University, Heidelberg University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, PD Dr. Alexander Supady, University Hospital Freiburg
- Investigators
- Till Bärnighausen, Prof. Dr., Principal investigator, Heidelberg University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05718973
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EduEntertainPsy_23
- Status last verified
- May 2023
- First submitted
- 30 Jan 2023
- Last updated
- 10 May 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Currently not planned. Individual requests may be directed to the corresponding author.
Publications
Adam M, Rohr J, Greuel M, Nguyen K, Aziz MAE, Gates J, Uberreiter C, Supady A, Barnighausen T. Measuring the effect of short, animated storytelling videos to boost psychological capital in US adults: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 18;15(1):40326. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-26894-1.
PubMed 41254108
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 May 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of a Short, Animated Storytelling Video to Boost Psychological Capital in the Post-pandemic Era: a Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05718973
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EduEntertainPsy_23
- Conditions
- Psychological Capital
- Keywords
- psychological capital, education entertainment intervention, short, animated storytelling
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 10,000 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital FreiburgUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Stanford University, Heidelberg University
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2023 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2023 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2023 (estimated)
- First posted
- 8 Feb 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study will evaluate the effect of a short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital intervention on immediate and medium-term psychological capital and related constructs, gratitude and happiness. We will also measure voluntary engagement with the content of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital.
In this 4-armed, parallel, randomized controlled trial, 10,000 adult, US participants will be randomly assigned to (1) a short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital followed by the psychological capital , gratitude and happiness surveys (2) the surveys only, (3) an attention placebo control video followed by the before mentioned surveys, and (4) an arm that is exposed to neither the video nor the surveys. Two weeks later, participants in all four arms will complete all of the surveys.
The primary outcome is psychological capital (immediate and medium-term). Secondary outcomes are gratitude and happiness (immediate and medium-term) as well as voluntary engagement with the short, animated storytelling video content.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- This is a 4-armed, parallel, randomized controlled trial, conducted purely online
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention Arm | Experimental | Other: short, animated storytelling video (intervention video)At Time 1, the Intervention Arm will view a short, animated storytelling video designed to promote psychological capital and, immediately thereafter, complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 as well as a single-item validated happiness scale. Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. |
| Scale-Exposed Control Arm | No intervention | –The Scale-Exposed Control Arm will watch no video content at Time 1, but will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 as well as a single-item validated happiness scale. Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. |
| Attention Placebo Control Arm | Placebo comparator | Other: short, animated storytelling attention placebo videoThe Attention Placebo Control Arm will view an attention placebo control video, unrelated to the outcomes measured in this trial, before completing the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. |
| Un-exposed Control Arm | No intervention | –The Un-exposed Control Arm will neither watch video content, nor complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale at Time 1. Two weeks later, the participants will complete the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 59 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Registration with the Prolific platform
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- none
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| short, animated storytelling video (intervention video)Participants in the Intervention Arm will view a short, animated storytelling video designed to promote psychological capital. | Other | Intervention Arm |
| short, animated storytelling attention placebo videoThe Attention Placebo Control Arm will view an attention placebo control video, unrelated to the outcomes measured in this trial. | Other | Attention Placebo Control Arm |
Primary outcome
Immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital
Time frame: immediately after watching the video
The immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital, as measured by the CPC-12R, the GQ-6 and the single-item validated happiness scale.
3 secondary outcomes
Medium-term effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on psychological capital
Time frame: 2 weeks
Immediate effect of the short, animated storytellingintervention video on gratitude and happiness
Time frame: immediately after watching the video
Medium-term effect of exposure to psychological capital and related psychological scales on these same outcomes
Time frame: 2 weeks
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 May 2023.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41254108Adam M, Rohr J, Greuel M, Nguyen K, Aziz MAE, Gates J, Uberreiter C, Supady A, Barnighausen T. Measuring the effect of short, animated storytelling videos to boost psychological capital in US adults: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 18;15(1):40326. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-26894-1.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Currently not planned. Individual requests may be directed to the corresponding author.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Till Bärnighausen, Prof. Dr. principal investigator
Heidelberg University
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing short, animated storytelling video (intervention video) in people with Psychological Capital, run by University Hospital Freiburg.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 May 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Maya Adam, MD (+1 650 839 3600, madam@stanford.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Immediate effect of the short, animated storytelling intervention video on positive psychological capital (time frame: immediately after watching the video). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05718973, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 May 2023.