Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Excessive sun exposure during sunny holidays increases the risk for skin cancer. The British population receives about 30% of their annual UV exposure during their 2-weeks holidays abroad. Strategies to promote sun protection have been unsuccessful in changing holidaymakers sun-protection practices. In this study, we want to see whether receiving a newly developed mobile-phone application would encourage holidaymakers to protect themselves from excessive sun exposure and, subsequently, prevent skin damage. We also want to see if using sun protection factor (SPF) 30 reduces skin damage compared to SPF 15.
Who can participate?
The mISkin study aims to recruit about 200 holidaymakers going for up to 2-weeks holidays, age > 18 years and that own an Android™ smartphone.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly (by chance) allocated to one of four groups: a) those who receive sunscreen with SPF30 and the mobile phone application; b) those who receive sunscreen with SPF15 the and mobile phone-application; c) those who receive sunscreen with SPF30 but not the mobile phone intervention and d) those who receive sunscreen with SPF15 but not the mobile phone intervention.
Before participants go on holidays and after their return, we will assess the degree of damage on the outer layers of the skin related to recent sun exposure.
We will also measure a range of specific sun protective behaviours. By comparing the groups to which participants were randomly allocated to, we can understand if the mobile phone application has been successful in reducing skin damage and increasing sun protection practices. We will be able to also see if using SPF30 rather than SPF15 would be more beneficial in preventing skin damage.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There will be no immediate direct benefit to those taking part. But there should be benefits to future holidaymakers. Participants will contribute to the development of a mobile phone app that can, if proven successful, help to prevent skin cancer.
Successful interventions to promote sun protection are needed to support skin cancer prevention. Participants might find that participating in this study might help them make some behaviour changes and improve their own sun protection practices.
Where is the study run from?
This study has been set up within Newcastle University, involving the collaboration of researchers from three different departments: Health Psychology, Dermatological Sciences and Computing Science.
When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
It is anticipated that recruitment will start in late 2012. Participants will be enrolled until October 2013.
Who is funding the study?
The Newcastle Institute for Research on Sustainability (NIReS), UK
Who is the main contact?
Angela Rodrigues
a.rodrigues@ncl.ac.uk
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Vera Araujo-Soares
ORCID ID
Contact details
Institute of Health and Society
Medical Faculty
Newcastle University
Baddiley-Clark Building
Richardson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4AX
United Kingdom
+44 191 208 6083
vera.araujo-soares@ncl.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
A factorial randomised controlled trial of the mISkin Smartphone intervention and sunscreen with SPF 15 vs. SPF 30 to prevent epidermal DNA skin damage amongst holidaymakers
Acronym
mISkin
Study hypothesis
We hypothesise that participants allocated to the newly developed Smartphone intervention aimed at promoting safe sun exposure, the mISkin application (app), will
1. Show less epidermal DNA skin damage (primary outcome)
2. Use more sunscreen (measured as amount [residual sunscreen in provided bottles]
3. Increase frequency of sunscreen use [using tri-axial accelerometers attached to sunscreen bottles]) and
4. Self-report more sun protective behaviours (seeking shade, using protective clothing)
following their holiday at a high UV destination (UV Index ¡Ã 6) than waiting list controls.
The mISkin intervention was developed at Newcastle University based on a previous systematic review and user centred design.
We also hypothesise that those participants allocated to SPF30 will show less epidermal DNA skin damage but show no difference in terms of sunscreen use and self-reported protective behaviours (seeking shade, using protective clothing) during their holiday at a high UV destination compared with participants allocated to SPF15. In the UK, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends using sunscreen SPF15, whereas the British Association of Dermatologists, Cancer Research UK and the British Skin Foundation recommend SPF30.
Ethics approval
Newcastle University Faculty of Medical Science Ethics Committee, 07/03/2012, ref: 00427_1/2012
Study design
Single centre assessor-blinded factorial randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Other
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details below to request a participant information sheet
Condition
Sun protection behaviours amongst holidaymakers
Intervention
Participants will be randomised to a 2 (mISkin intervention vs. waiting list control [no mISkin intervention]) x 2 (Sunscreen provision: SPF 15 vs. SPF 30) factorial design.
1. Behavioural Intervention
mISkin Intervention Group
Participants randomised to the intervention group will receive a behavioural intervention (¡®mISkin¡¯) delivered through their mobile-phones (Android Smartphones) during their holiday.
The behaviour change strategies utilised in this app are based on a systematic review and the interventions have been developed using user-centred design principles. The application will also include an initial skin assessment upon which the intervention delivery will be tailored. Participants will be asked to interact daily (1 to 3 times per day) with the application. Each day participants will also be asked to respond, through the application, to brief questions about their sun-protection practices.
Waiting list Control
Participants randomised to the control condition will not receive an intervention targeting sun-protective behaviours and will be offered the intervention/app next time they go on holiday if the intervention is found to be efficacious in this trial (waiting list control).
2. Sun Protection Factor
All participants will be provided with two bottles of sunscreen (Ambre Solaire, 200ml), with either SPF15 or SPF30.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Skin sun damage will be assessed objectively using a reliable epithelial skin swab to test for mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) damage caused by UV exposure (Harbottle et al. 2010) before and after their holiday.
Secondary outcome measures
1. Sunscreen use(amount) measured by weighting provided sunscreen bottles at baseline and post-test
2. Sunscreen use (frequency and time-stamped patterns) measured using tri-axial accelerometers attached to the sunscreen bottles providing time and date stamped data of bottle movement sufficient to identify instances of use
3. Self-reported sun protection behaviours using the questionnaire developed by Glanz et al. (2008) (at baseline and post-test)
4. Skin damage using a UV photo taken before and after the study displaying sun damage in the form of mottled pigmentation
5. Psychological measures of knowledge, intention, attitudes, self-efficacy, social influences towards sun protection behaviours and consideration of immediate and future consequences based on standard procedures (at baseline and post-test)
Internal Pilot (Feasibility) Study
To ensure the feasibility of the trial procedures, we will define the period until the first 30 participants have completed the study as internal pilot study. For this internal pilot, the main outcomes are: a) acceptability (measured by completion rates and post study interviews); b) feasibility, measured by attrition rates and user activity in interacting with the mobile-phone intervention.
Stop rules:
If we find that more than 10 out of the first 30 participants do not accept their group allocation, measurement procedures or other aspects of the trial procedures or if the post holiday interviews identify any significant problems with the acceptability of the trial protocol we will either modify the protocol to enhance acceptability and feasibility based on the insights gained , or we will consider discontinuing the trial. If during this period no significant problems with acceptability and feasibility are detected the data from the internal pilot will become part of the main dataset and analyses as part of the trial. If any major modifications to the protocol need to be implemented, the data from the internal pilot will not be analysed alongside the main trial.
Overall trial start date
15/10/2012
Overall trial end date
30/09/2013
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Holidaymakers from the North East of England travelling for up to two weeks
2. Age >=18 years old
3. Individuals owning an Android Smartphone, as the mISkin app is available for Android platforms only
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
200
Participant exclusion criteria
1. People with known dermatological conditions
2. People with known allergic reactions to sunlight and/or sunscreen
3. People under photosensitive drugs for whom UV exposure is undesirable
4. People experiencing ill health
5. Pregnant women
6. Non-English speakers
Recruitment start date
15/10/2012
Recruitment end date
30/09/2013
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Institute of Health and Society
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4AX
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
Newcastle University (UK)
Sponsor details
Joint Research Office
Level 6 Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP
United Kingdom
+44 191 2825213
amanda.tortice@ncl.ac.uk
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
Newcastle University (UK) - Institute of Health and Society
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publication of data gathered prior to abandonment of the trial as a pilot study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list