Work

Investigating the Efficacy of the Proactive Automatised Lifestyle intervention among general hospital patients (ePAL): study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction While behaviour change interventions have been shown to be effective in the prevention of chronic diseases on the population level, the prevalent co-occurrence of health risk behaviours (HRBs) is addressed less frequently. A multibehaviour intervention could account for this. The aim is to present the study protocol of a behaviour change intervention focusing on tobacco smoking, alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity for healthcare patients. A proactive approach is expected to result in high reach and retention and is combined with the efficacy and low barriers of self-administered online assessments. Methods and analysis Using a randomised controlled trial, the efficacy of a proactive automatised behaviour change intervention is investigated over 2 years among general hospital patients aged 18–64 years. All patients admitted to participating hospital wards (internal medicine, general surgery, trauma surgery and otorhinolaryngology) are systematically approached by trained study assistants and invited to participate. A total of 788 participants are to be assigned to either intervention or control group. The intervention contains computer-generated feedback after baseline, months 1 and 3. The intervention is individually tailored to the current motivational stage(s) of change driven by the transtheoretical model of change and the individual HRB profile. The control group will not receive any intervention beyond routine care. After 6, 12 and 24 (primary) months, participants from both groups will be contacted again for follow-up assessments. Primary outcome is overall health behaviour change measured by a multiple HRB index, that is, a sum score of HRBs. Secondary outcomes include change in single HRBs, health and motivation to change. Latent growth curve modelling will be used. Ethics and dissemination The local ethics committee and data security appointee approved the study procedures. Results will be disseminated via publication in international scientific journals and presentations at scientific conferences. Trial registration number NCT07441603.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-119026

Authors: Anne Moehring, Benita Koch, Maike Kuehnel, Sophie Baumann, Jennis Freyer-Adam

Institutions: Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, German Centre for Cardiovascular Research

Language: English

Topic: Behavioral Health and Interventions

Subfield: Applied Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,839