Home Goals: A study looking at improving mental and physical health and well-being in young people using short physical activity and psychological education sessions

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Mental health problems are common in adolescents. For the treatment of depressive symptoms, existing literature reports the benefits of psychoeducation-based interventions.
The WHO (2018) recommends that young people engage in at least one hour of moderate physical activity a day. Vigorous physical activity has been shown to be a protective factor against mental health problems in adolescents. Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance our wellbeing. Even a short burst of 10 minutes’ brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and positive mood.
The combination of physical activity and psychoeducation in treatment of stress and depressive symptoms has shown to be superior than merely exercise alone.
The project aims to create therapy groups for children to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing. Each therapy group runs for one hour after school for six weeks, one half an hour focussing on physical activity (led by a local sports club) and another half an hour focusing on psychoeducation, led by NHS staff (e.g mental health nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, Psychological Well-being Practitioners). The physical health aspect of the groups encompasses a broad range of physical activities, adapted to try at home. The groups also enable young people to learn about how and why anxiety and depression occur, and how we can learn ways of managing them.
This project is especially crucial given the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring the safety of staff and patients, by allowing the delivery of the interventions over video-conferencing software.

Who can participate?
School children aged 11-18 years who attend a participating school who are at risk of or are suffering from low-level mental health problems.

What does the study involve?
Participants will take part in one of the two 6-week interventions, depending on their group assignment. The intervention is the same for both groups but undertaken at different time points. Each therapy group runs for one hour after school for 6 weeks, one half an hour focussing on physical activity (led by a local sports club) and another half an hour focusing on psychoeducation, led by NHS staff (e.g., mental health nurse, psychiatrist, psychologist, psychological well-being practitioners). The physical health aspect of the groups encompasses a broad range of physical activities, adapted to try at home. The groups also enable young people to learn about how and why anxiety and depression occur, and how we can learn ways of managing them. This project is especially crucial given the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring the safety of staff and patients, by allowing the delivery of the interventions over video-conferencing software.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants should increase their understanding of negative emotions and why we experience them, and that it is normal to do so. They will then be given tools to help them deal with the negative impact of these emotions. They will be given the opportunity to try out new physical activities which also provides benefits to their physical and mental health. This may also encourage them to continue with physical activity, leading to long-term benefits Some participants may experience unexpected discomfort during the physical exercise, at which point they will be encouraged to stop. They can withdraw from the study at any time. There is a small chance that children may become distressed during the psychoeducation section, at which time they can leave the session, and they will be signposted on to services that can help them using a support services leaflet. There will be two presents during the session, so if necessary one presenter can speak privately to the distressed participant. Confidentiality will be broken if the participant discloses self-harm or suicidal ideation.

Where is the study run from?
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2020 to January 2023

Who is funding the study?
1. Active Humber (UK)
2. Yorkshire Sport Foundation (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Victoria Laker
rdash.groundedresearch@nhs.net

Contact information

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• England
• United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Sponsor information

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Results and Publications

Study outputs

Additional files

ISRCTN16814810_PROTOCOL_v2.1_23Apr2021.pdf

Uploaded 14/07/2021

ISRCTN16814810_PIS_Parents_v2.1_23Apr2021.pdf

Uploaded 14/07/2021

ISRCTN16814810_PIS_v1.1_Participants_16+_23Apr2021.doc.pdf

Uploaded 14/07/2021

ISRCTN16814810_BasicResults.pdf

ISRCTN16814810_Statistical_analysis_plan.pdf

ISRCTN16814810_Dataset.xlsx

Editorial Notes

07/03/2025: Dataset uploaded.
03/03/2025: Basic results and statistical analysis plan files uploaded.
14/05/2024: Total final enrolment added. The intention to publish date was changed from 30/11/2023 to 31/12/2025.
06/01/2023: The overall trial end date has been changed from 06/01/2023 to 23/01/2023.
24/11/2021: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/08/2021 to 31/03/2022.
2. The overall trial end date was changed from 02/01/2023 to 06/01/2023.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 02/01/2024 to 30/11/2023.
14/07/2021: Uploaded protocol Version 2.1, 23 April 2021 (not peer reviewed). The participant information sheet has been uploaded.
25/06/2021: Trial's existence confirmed by NHS HRA.