COVID-19NCT05722106
Improving Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Behaviours: Test of Persuasive Messages
A study testing Persuasive Appeal in people with COVID-19, run by University of Calgary at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
The goal of this randomized online experiment was to test the effectiveness of using various persuasive appeals (deontological moral frame, empathy, identifiable victim, goal proximity, and reciprocity) at improving intentions to adhere to prevention behaviors. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- COVID-19
- What is being tested?
- Persuasive Appeal
- Type of treatment
- Vaccines, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 3,746 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 3 Mar 2021to 6 Mar 2021
- 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 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult Canadian residents
- Target quotas for province of residence, age, gender, and ethnicity were set to obtain a demographically representative sample based on the 2016 census data
Who cannot join
- Province of residence, age, gender, and ethnicity once quotas are filled
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The goal of this randomized online experiment was to test the effectiveness of using various persuasive appeals (deontological moral frame, empathy, identifiable victim, goal proximity, and reciprocity) at improving intentions to adhere to prevention behaviors.
Participants indicated their intentions to follow public health guidelines, saw one of six flyers featuring a persuasive appeal or no appeal, then rated their intentions a second time. Known correlates of attitudes toward public health measures were also measured.
Read the detailed description
Adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for COVID-19, including physical distancing, masking, staying home while sick, and avoiding crowded indoor spaces remain critical for limiting the spread of COVID-19.
This study tests the effectiveness of using various persuasive appeals (deontological moral frame, empathy, identifiable victim, goal proximity, and reciprocity) at improving intentions to adhere to prevention behaviors.
A randomized online experiment using a representative sample of adult Canadian residents with respect to age, ethnicity, and province of residence was conducted between March 3-6, 2021. Participants indicated their intentions to follow public health guidelines, saw one of six flyers featuring a persuasive appeal or no appeal, then rated their intentions a second time. Known correlates of attitudes toward public health measures were also measured.
- Conditions
- COVID-19
- Being tested
- Persuasive Appeal
- Medical subject headings
- COVID-19
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Persuasive AppealBehavioural
Persuasive appeals were manipulated using promotional flyers ostensibly distributed by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control - Info only | Experimental | Participants read a flyer containing the following message:
The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We can all do our part:
* Avoid social gatherings.
* Wear a mask when you go out.
* Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. These actions prevent the spread of COVID-19. Receives: Behavioral: Persuasive Appeal |
| Deontological | Experimental | Participants read a flyer containing the following message:
The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We can all do our part:
* Avoid social gatherings.
* Wear a mask when you go out.
* Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. We all need to do this, however difficult, because it is the right thing to do: it is our duty and responsibility to protect our families, friends, and fellow citizens. Receives: Behavioral: Persuasive Appeal |
| Empathy | Experimental | Participants read a flyer containing the following message:
The sick, elderly, and immunocompromised need our help. We all have a choice. If we don't take the right actions, we risk the lives of others. But we can protect those most likely to be harmed. We can protect those who are vulnerable by taking simple steps:
* Avoid social gatherings.
* Wear a mask when you go out.
* Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. Take action to protect those who are vulnerable! Receives: Behavioral: Persuasive Appeal |
| Identifiable victim | Experimental | Participants read a flyer containing the following message:
A few weeks ago, Sam was a healthy 26-year-old with no medical complications. The he suddenly came down with a bad cough and a feeling like he could not breath. He tested positive for COVID-19, and is now hospitalized, receiving oxygen from a ventilator, and fighting for his life. This could be any of us. Reduce the risk to yourself and other:
* Avoid social gatherings.
* Wear a mask when you go out.
* Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. If we take these actions, we can prevent more people from suffering the way Sam has. Receives: Behavioral: Persuasive Appeal |
| Goal proximity | Experimental | Participants read a flyer containing the following message:
The recent development of safe and effective vaccines gives us great hope. We see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we are not quite there yet. Until a large proportion of the population is immunized, we must remain vigilant and double our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
* Avoid social gatherings.
* Wear a mask when you go out.
* Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. These actions prevent the spread of COVID-19. Receives: Behavioral: Persuasive Appeal |
| Reciprocity | Experimental | Participants read a flyer containing the following message:
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are working around the clock, often risking their lives to care for patients with the coronavirus. Working long hours in highly infectious environments, many of them are falling ill. As our healthcare workers put their lives on the line, we can do our part:
* Avoid social gatherings.
* Wear a mask when you go out.
* Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water. Our brave healthcare workers have sacrificed to help others. We should take action too. Receives: Behavioral: Persuasive Appeal |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in intentions to engage in prevention behaviours
Index variables for intentions to engage in prevention behaviors (pre- and post-treatment) were created by averaging across six items (1. Limit my physical contact with others when possible, 2. Completely avoid any unnecessary physical contact with others [e.g., hugging or handshakes], 3. Avoid crowded indoor spaces, 4. Wear a mask when I leave the house, 5. Wash my hands as much as possible, and 6. Stay home when mildly sick) measured on 100-point sliding scales (0 = Strongly disagree, 50 = Neither agree nor disagree, 100 = Strongly agree).
Measured: Same day
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Feb 2023
- Study start3 Mar 2021
- Primary completion6 Mar 2021
- Study completion6 Mar 2021
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 COVID-19Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of CalgaryThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 3,746 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Calgary
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Mehdi Mourali, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Calgary
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05722106
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REB21-0173
- Status last verified
- Feb 2023
- First submitted
- 10 Jan 2023
- Last updated
- 10 Feb 2023
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Mourali M, Benham JL, Lang R, Fullerton MM, Boucher JC, Cornelson K, Oxoby RJ, Constantinescu C, Tang T, Marshall DA, Hu J. Persuasive Messages for Improving Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors: Randomized Online Experiment. JMIR Hum Factors. 2023 Feb 13;10:e41328. doi: 10.2196/41328.
PubMed 36508732
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Feb 2023. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Improving Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Behaviours: Test of Persuasive Messages
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05722106
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REB21-0173
- Conditions
- COVID-19
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 3,746 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of CalgaryUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 3 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 6 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 6 Mar 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 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.
The goal of this randomized online experiment was to test the effectiveness of using various persuasive appeals (deontological moral frame, empathy, identifiable victim, goal proximity, and reciprocity) at improving intentions to adhere to prevention behaviors.
Participants indicated their intentions to follow public health guidelines, saw one of six flyers featuring a persuasive appeal or no appeal, then rated their intentions a second time. Known correlates of attitudes toward public health measures were also measured.
Detailed description
Adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for COVID-19, including physical distancing, masking, staying home while sick, and avoiding crowded indoor spaces remain critical for limiting the spread of COVID-19.
This study tests the effectiveness of using various persuasive appeals (deontological moral frame, empathy, identifiable victim, goal proximity, and reciprocity) at improving intentions to adhere to prevention behaviors.
A randomized online experiment using a representative sample of adult Canadian residents with respect to age, ethnicity, and province of residence was conducted between March 3-6, 2021. Participants indicated their intentions to follow public health guidelines, saw one of six flyers featuring a persuasive appeal or no appeal, then rated their intentions a second time. Known correlates of attitudes toward public health measures were also measured.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 6
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control - Info only | Experimental | Behavioral: Persuasive AppealParticipants read a flyer containing the following message: The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We can all do our part: * Avoid social gatherings. * Wear a mask when you go out. * Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household. * Wash your hands often with soap and water. These actions prevent the spread of COVID-19. |
| Deontological | Experimental | Behavioral: Persuasive AppealParticipants read a flyer containing the following message: The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We can all do our part: * Avoid social gatherings. * Wear a mask when you go out. * Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household. * Wash your hands often with soap and water. We all need to do this, however difficult, because it is the right thing to do: it is our duty and responsibility to protect our families, friends, and fellow citizens. |
| Empathy | Experimental | Behavioral: Persuasive AppealParticipants read a flyer containing the following message: The sick, elderly, and immunocompromised need our help. We all have a choice. If we don't take the right actions, we risk the lives of others. But we can protect those most likely to be harmed. We can protect those who are vulnerable by taking simple steps: * Avoid social gatherings. * Wear a mask when you go out. * Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household. * Wash your hands often with soap and water. Take action to protect those who are vulnerable! |
| Identifiable victim | Experimental | Behavioral: Persuasive AppealParticipants read a flyer containing the following message: A few weeks ago, Sam was a healthy 26-year-old with no medical complications. The he suddenly came down with a bad cough and a feeling like he could not breath. He tested positive for COVID-19, and is now hospitalized, receiving oxygen from a ventilator, and fighting for his life. This could be any of us. Reduce the risk to yourself and other: * Avoid social gatherings. * Wear a mask when you go out. * Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household. * Wash your hands often with soap and water. If we take these actions, we can prevent more people from suffering the way Sam has. |
| Goal proximity | Experimental | Behavioral: Persuasive AppealParticipants read a flyer containing the following message: The recent development of safe and effective vaccines gives us great hope. We see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we are not quite there yet. Until a large proportion of the population is immunized, we must remain vigilant and double our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. * Avoid social gatherings. * Wear a mask when you go out. * Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household. * Wash your hands often with soap and water. These actions prevent the spread of COVID-19. |
| Reciprocity | Experimental | Behavioral: Persuasive AppealParticipants read a flyer containing the following message: Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers are working around the clock, often risking their lives to care for patients with the coronavirus. Working long hours in highly infectious environments, many of them are falling ill. As our healthcare workers put their lives on the line, we can do our part: * Avoid social gatherings. * Wear a mask when you go out. * Stay at least six feet away from people outside your household. * Wash your hands often with soap and water. Our brave healthcare workers have sacrificed to help others. We should take action too. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Adult Canadian residents
- Target quotas for province of residence, age, gender, and ethnicity were set to obtain a demographically representative sample based on the 2016 census data
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Province of residence, age, gender, and ethnicity once quotas are filled
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Persuasive AppealPersuasive appeals were manipulated using promotional flyers ostensibly distributed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. | Behavioural | Control - Info only, Deontological, Empathy, Goal proximity, Identifiable victim, Reciprocity |
Primary outcome
Change in intentions to engage in prevention behaviours
Time frame: Same day
Index variables for intentions to engage in prevention behaviors (pre- and post-treatment) were created by averaging across six items (1. Limit my physical contact with others when possible, 2. Completely avoid any unnecessary physical contact with others [e.g., hugging or handshakes], 3. Avoid crowded indoor spaces, 4. Wear a mask when I leave the house, 5. Wash my hands as much as possible, and 6. Stay home when mildly sick) measured on 100-point sliding scales (0 = Strongly disagree, 50 = Neither agree nor disagree, 100 = Strongly agree).
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Feb 2023.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 36508732Mourali M, Benham JL, Lang R, Fullerton MM, Boucher JC, Cornelson K, Oxoby RJ, Constantinescu C, Tang T, Marshall DA, Hu J. Persuasive Messages for Improving Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors: Randomized Online Experiment. JMIR Hum Factors. 2023 Feb 13;10:e41328. doi: 10.2196/41328.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
Mehdi Mourali, PhD principal investigator
University of Calgary
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Persuasive Appeal in people with COVID-19, run by University of Calgary at 1 site in Canada.
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 2 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Feb 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in intentions to engage in prevention behaviours (time frame: Same day). 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 NCT05722106, 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 Feb 2023.