Health Promotion Model (HPM)PROBTECNCT07265219
PROBTEC Program to Manage Problematic Technology Use in Adolescents
A study testing PROBTEC Management Program in people with Health Promotion Model (HPM) and Randomized Controlled Trial, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Excessive engagement with digital devices among adolescents has become a significant public health concern, contributing to reduced physical activity and associated health risks. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 14 to 15 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Health Promotion Model (HPM), Randomized Controlled Trial, Technology Use
- What is being tested?
- PROBTEC Management Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 27 Mar 2023to 29 Nov 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 14 to 15 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Adolescents aged 14-15 years
- Volunteering to participate in the study
- Reporting more than two hours of daily screen time
- Able to complete assessments at all required time points
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed mental disabilities
- Diagnosed physical disabilities
- Presence of chronic illnesses
- Any condition that prevents participation in the intervention or assessments
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Karabuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences
Karabük, 78050
About this study
Official title: The Effect of the Health Promotion Model-Based PROBTEC Management Program on Problematic Technology Use in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Excessive engagement with digital devices among adolescents has become a significant public health concern, contributing to reduced physical activity and associated health risks. This study assessed the impact of the PROBTEC Management Program-an intervention structured around the Health Promotion Model-on technology-related behaviors and activity levels in adolescents. A randomized controlled trial was implemented in 10 public middle schools in Türkiye with a total sample of 200 students aged 14-15 years. Schools were allocated to either the intervention or control condition using cluster randomization. The intervention spanned six weeks and combined health education sessions, guided physical activity practices, and parent-focused components. Measures were obtained at four time points (baseline, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months) using validated questionnaires, pedometer-based step counts, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures statistical techniques and standardized effect size calculations.
Participants receiving the PROBTEC intervention demonstrated notable improvements over time. Compared with controls, the intervention group exhibited reduced indicators of problematic technology engagement and perceived exercise barriers, alongside increases in perceived exercise benefits, physical activity self-efficacy, and total MET scores.
Findings indicate that the PROBTEC Management Program supports positive behavioral changes by reducing unhealthy technology use and encouraging more active lifestyles among adolescents. The sustained effects observed across the 6-month follow-up period suggest that this school-based, theory-driven model may be a practical and scalable strategy for adolescent health promotion
Read the detailed description
Problematic technology use has increasingly been recognized as a major behavioral health issue among adolescents, contributing to prolonged sedentary behavior, reduced physical activity, and related negative health outcomes. Although many school-based initiatives address lifestyle or digital well-being independently, few interventions incorporate a comprehensive, theory-guided framework. The PROBTEC Management Program was developed to address this gap by integrating principles from the Health Promotion Model (HPM) to promote healthier technology habits and increase physical activity levels among young people.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the program's effectiveness in a real-world school setting. Ten public middle schools in Türkiye participated in the study, with cluster randomization used to assign schools to either the intervention or control condition. A total of 200 adolescents aged 14-15 years were included. The intervention consisted of a structured six-week curriculum delivered by trained facilitators and included three core components: (1) health education sessions designed to increase awareness of the risks associated with excessive technology use, (2) guided physical activity practices that encouraged students to incorporate movement into their daily routines, and (3) a parental engagement component aimed at strengthening family support for healthy behaviors.
Outcome measurements were collected at four time points: baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention at 1 week (T1), 3 months post-intervention (T2), and 6 months post-intervention (T3). Technology-related behaviors, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and physical activity self-efficacy were assessed using validated instruments. Physical activity levels were evaluated using pedometer-based step counts and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Repeated measures statistical analyses were used to examine changes over time, and effect sizes were calculated to estimate the magnitude of intervention effects.
Adolescents who participated in the PROBTEC program showed significant positive changes across all primary outcomes when compared with their peers in the control schools. Reductions in technology addiction scores and perceived exercise barriers were accompanied by increases in perceived benefits of physical activity, self-efficacy for being active, and total MET values. These improvements were evident not only immediately after the intervention but were also maintained throughout the 6-month follow-up period, demonstrating the sustained impact of the program.
Overall, this trial provides evidence that a structured, theory-based, and school-centered intervention can effectively support adolescents in managing digital behaviors while simultaneously promoting physical activity. The PROBTEC Management Program offers a feasible, low-cost, and scalable model that can be integrated into broader school health services. Its combined focus on educational, behavioral, and family-based strategies positions it as a promising approach for addressing the intertwined challenges of technology overuse and physical inactivity in youth populations.
- Being tested
- PROBTEC Management Program
- Keywords
- Health Promotion Model, problematic technology use, physical activity, randomized controlled trial, adolescents
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PROBTEC Management ProgramBehavioural
Intervention Description (Distinctive Features) - PROBTEC Program
The PROBTEC Management Program is a multi-component behavioral intervention specifically designed to address problematic technology use among adolescents within a school setting. Unlike standard health education approaches, this program integrates all core constructs of the Health Promotion Model (HPM) and combines them with structured physical activity strategies and a family-engagement framework. Its distinguishing features include:
Theory-Driven Structure:
The entire intervention is explicitly grounded in the Health Promotion Model. Each session targets specific HPM constructs such as perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, situational influences, and interpersonal support. This provides a comprehensive theoretical basis that differentiates the program from generic technology reduction or physical activity programs.
Combined Digital Behavior + Physical Activity Approach:
Most existing adolescent inte
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: PROBTEC Intervention Group | Experimental | Adolescents in the experimental arm received the PROBTEC Management Program, a structured six-week behavioral intervention based on the Health Promotion Model. Receives: Behavioral: PROBTEC Management Program |
| Control: Standard School Routine (No Intervention) | No intervention | Participants in the control arm continued their usual school schedule without receiving any structured health education or physical activity program related to technology use. They did not participate in any component of the PROBTEC intervention. After the study was completed, informational brochures were provided to ensure ethical equivalence. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Problematic Technology Use Score
Problematic technology use will be assessed using the Technology Addiction Scale, a validated 32-item scale developed for adolescents. The scale uses a 5-point Likert response format and has four subscales: Social Media Addiction, Instant Messaging Addiction, Online Gaming Addiction, and Website Addiction.
Total scores range from 0 to 120, with higher scores indicating more severe technology addiction.
Score interpretation:
0-24: No addiction
25-48: Low addiction
49-72: Moderate addiction
73-96: High addiction
97-120: Full addiction
The scale demonstrated good internal reliability (Cronbach's α = .86 in the original study; α = .97 in the present study).
Measured: Day 0, Day 7, Day 90, Day 180.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Dec 2025
- Study start27 Mar 2023
- Primary completion12 May 2023
- Study completion29 Nov 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Health Promotion Model (HPM)Studies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, nesrin arslan, Karabuk University
- Investigators
- Nesrin Arslan,, PhD, Principal investigator, Karabuk Universityaysun Ardic, Study director, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07265219
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2023/1261
- Acronym
- PROBTEC
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 22 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 4 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involves minors and includes sensitive behavioral data that cannot be released under institutional and national data protection regulations. Only aggregated results will be made publicly available.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of the Health Promotion Model-Based PROBTEC Management Program on Problematic Technology Use in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07265219
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PROBTEC / 2023/1261
- Keywords
- Health Promotion Model, problematic technology use, physical activity, randomized controlled trial, adolescents
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 27 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 May 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 Nov 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Dec 2025 (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.
Excessive engagement with digital devices among adolescents has become a significant public health concern, contributing to reduced physical activity and associated health risks. This study assessed the impact of the PROBTEC Management Program-an intervention structured around the Health Promotion Model-on technology-related behaviors and activity levels in adolescents. A randomized controlled trial was implemented in 10 public middle schools in Türkiye with a total sample of 200 students aged 14-15 years. Schools were allocated to either the intervention or control condition using cluster randomization. The intervention spanned six weeks and combined health education sessions, guided physical activity practices, and parent-focused components. Measures were obtained at four time points (baseline, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months) using validated questionnaires, pedometer-based step counts, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using repeated measures statistical techniques and standardized effect size calculations.
Participants receiving the PROBTEC intervention demonstrated notable improvements over time. Compared with controls, the intervention group exhibited reduced indicators of problematic technology engagement and perceived exercise barriers, alongside increases in perceived exercise benefits, physical activity self-efficacy, and total MET scores.
Findings indicate that the PROBTEC Management Program supports positive behavioral changes by reducing unhealthy technology use and encouraging more active lifestyles among adolescents. The sustained effects observed across the 6-month follow-up period suggest that this school-based, theory-driven model may be a practical and scalable strategy for adolescent health promotion
Detailed description
Problematic technology use has increasingly been recognized as a major behavioral health issue among adolescents, contributing to prolonged sedentary behavior, reduced physical activity, and related negative health outcomes. Although many school-based initiatives address lifestyle or digital well-being independently, few interventions incorporate a comprehensive, theory-guided framework. The PROBTEC Management Program was developed to address this gap by integrating principles from the Health Promotion Model (HPM) to promote healthier technology habits and increase physical activity levels among young people.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the program's effectiveness in a real-world school setting. Ten public middle schools in Türkiye participated in the study, with cluster randomization used to assign schools to either the intervention or control condition. A total of 200 adolescents aged 14-15 years were included. The intervention consisted of a structured six-week curriculum delivered by trained facilitators and included three core components: (1) health education sessions designed to increase awareness of the risks associated with excessive technology use, (2) guided physical activity practices that encouraged students to incorporate movement into their daily routines, and (3) a parental engagement component aimed at strengthening family support for healthy behaviors.
Outcome measurements were collected at four time points: baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention at 1 week (T1), 3 months post-intervention (T2), and 6 months post-intervention (T3). Technology-related behaviors, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and physical activity self-efficacy were assessed using validated instruments. Physical activity levels were evaluated using pedometer-based step counts and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Repeated measures statistical analyses were used to examine changes over time, and effect sizes were calculated to estimate the magnitude of intervention effects.
Adolescents who participated in the PROBTEC program showed significant positive changes across all primary outcomes when compared with their peers in the control schools. Reductions in technology addiction scores and perceived exercise barriers were accompanied by increases in perceived benefits of physical activity, self-efficacy for being active, and total MET values. These improvements were evident not only immediately after the intervention but were also maintained throughout the 6-month follow-up period, demonstrating the sustained impact of the program.
Overall, this trial provides evidence that a structured, theory-based, and school-centered intervention can effectively support adolescents in managing digital behaviors while simultaneously promoting physical activity. The PROBTEC Management Program offers a feasible, low-cost, and scalable model that can be integrated into broader school health services. Its combined focus on educational, behavioral, and family-based strategies positions it as a promising approach for addressing the intertwined challenges of technology overuse and physical inactivity in youth populations.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: PROBTEC Intervention Group | Experimental | Behavioral: PROBTEC Management ProgramAdolescents in the experimental arm received the PROBTEC Management Program, a structured six-week behavioral intervention based on the Health Promotion Model. |
| Control: Standard School Routine (No Intervention) | No intervention | –Participants in the control arm continued their usual school schedule without receiving any structured health education or physical activity program related to technology use. They did not participate in any component of the PROBTEC intervention. After the study was completed, informational brochures were provided to ensure ethical equivalence. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 14 to 15 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Adolescents aged 14-15 years
- Volunteering to participate in the study
- Reporting more than two hours of daily screen time
- Able to complete assessments at all required time points
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Diagnosed mental disabilities
- Diagnosed physical disabilities
- Presence of chronic illnesses
- Any condition that prevents participation in the intervention or assessments
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 |
|---|---|---|
| PROBTEC Management ProgramIntervention Description (Distinctive Features) - PROBTEC Program The PROBTEC Management Program is a multi-component behavioral intervention specifically designed to address problematic technology use among adolescents within a school setting. Unlike standard health education approaches, this program integrates all core constructs of the Health Promotion Model (HPM) and combines them with structured physical activity strategies and a family-engagement framework. Its distinguishing features include: Theory-Driven Structure: The entire intervention is explicitly grounded in the Health Promotion Model. Each session targets specific HPM constructs such as perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, situational influences, and interpersonal support. This provides a comprehensive theoretical basis that differentiates the program from generic technology reduction or physical activity programs. Combined Digital Behavior + Physical Activity Approach: Most existing adolescent inte | Behavioural | Experimental: PROBTEC Intervention Group |
Primary outcome
Problematic Technology Use Score
Time frame: Day 0, Day 7, Day 90, Day 180.
Problematic technology use will be assessed using the Technology Addiction Scale, a validated 32-item scale developed for adolescents. The scale uses a 5-point Likert response format and has four subscales: Social Media Addiction, Instant Messaging Addiction, Online Gaming Addiction, and Website Addiction. Total scores range from 0 to 120, with higher scores indicating more severe technology addiction. Score interpretation: 0-24: No addiction 25-48: Low addiction 49-72: Moderate addiction 73-96: High addiction 97-120: Full addiction The scale demonstrated good internal reliability (Cronbach's α = .86 in the original study; α = .97 in the present study).
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 4 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involves minors and includes sensitive behavioral data that cannot be released under institutional and national data protection regulations. Only aggregated results will be made publicly available.
Related trials for Health Promotion Model (HPM)
Recruiting
FACE-APPS-Based Approach for Improving Iron Deficiency Anaemia Indicators Among Female Adolescents at Marginalized Communities
Iron Deficiency Anemia, Digital Health Literacy
Not yet recruiting
Health Promotion Model-Based Education and Motivational Interviewing for Parents of Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetes Self-Management
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.
Nesrin Arslan,, PhD principal investigator
Karabuk University
aysun Ardic study director
Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing PROBTEC Management Program in people with Health Promotion Model (HPM) and Randomized Controlled Trial, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 4 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 4 Dec 2025. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Problematic Technology Use Score (time frame: Day 0, Day 7, Day 90, Day 180.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 4 Dec 2025.