Self-EfficacySportSelf-MCIINCT07427030
Digital Scaffolding for Self-Regulation: Using WhatsApp Reminders to Improve Sport Self-Efficacy in University Students
A study testing Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) and MCII + WhatsApp Reminders in people with Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulation, run by Inonu University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a self-regulation strategy called Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) can improve university students' confidence in participating in tennis training. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 31 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Self-Efficacy, Self-Regulation, Sport Participation
- What is being tested?
- Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) and MCII + WhatsApp Reminders
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 22 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2026to 7 Feb 2026
- 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 to 31 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Registered member of a university tennis club
- Actively enrolled in a structured tennis training program
- Aged 18 years or older
- Voluntarily agreed to participate and provided informed consent
- Completed baseline assessment procedures
Who cannot join
- Did not complete the intervention protocol
- Missed posttest assessment
- Failed to complete required study measures
- Withdrew participation during the study period
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Digital Scaffolding for Self-Regulation: How WhatsApp Reminders Potentiate MCII to Boost University Students' Sport Self-Efficacy Beliefs
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a self-regulation strategy called Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) can improve university students' confidence in participating in tennis training. The study also examines whether adding WhatsApp reminder messages makes the strategy more effective.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
Does using MCII help students feel more confident about joining and continuing tennis training?
Do WhatsApp reminders increase the effect of MCII on sport self-efficacy?
Researchers compared two groups. One group used the MCII strategy alone, while the other group used MCII together with reminder messages sent through WhatsApp.
Participants were university students who were already enrolled in a tennis training program. Participants:
Completed a questionnaire about their self-efficacy before the study started
Took part in a four-week intervention during regular tennis training sessions
Completed MCII planning exercises before training sessions
Received WhatsApp reminders before sessions if assigned to the reminder group
Completed the same questionnaire again after the intervention
The study aims to better understand how simple digital reminders may support self-regulation and improve students' confidence to continue participating in sports.
Read the detailed description
This study is grounded in self-regulation theory and investigates the effectiveness of a structured psychological strategy, Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII), in supporting self-efficacy related to university students' participation in tennis training. In addition, the study examines whether digitally delivered reminder prompts enhance the effectiveness of the MCII intervention compared with the standard MCII procedure alone.
The study used a two-arm randomized experimental design with pretest-posttest assessments. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two conditions: (1) MCII-only or (2) MCII combined with WhatsApp reminder prompts. Randomization was conducted using an SPSS-generated allocation sequence prepared by an independent researcher. Due to the behavioral nature of the intervention and the use of self-reported measures, blinding was not feasible.
The intervention was implemented over a four-week period within a structured university tennis training program. All participants received standardized instruction on the MCII strategy and completed structured MCII worksheets before training sessions. The worksheets guided participants through mental contrasting (identifying desired outcomes and possible obstacles) and implementation intentions (forming "if-then" action plans). Participants assigned to the digital reminder condition received structured WhatsApp prompts one day before scheduled sessions to support anticipatory self-regulation and preparation.
The primary aim of the study is to evaluate whether integrating low-cost digital reminders into a self-regulation intervention produces stronger improvements in self-efficacy compared with using MCII alone. The intervention was designed as a brief, low-intensity behavioral support strategy embedded within regular training activities rather than a standalone program. Data were collected at baseline and immediately after the intervention period using standardized self-report instruments, and analyses focused on within-group and between-group changes associated with intervention condition.
- Being tested
- Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII), MCII + WhatsApp Reminders
- Keywords
- self-regulation, self-efficacy, MCII, WhatsApp reminder prompts, physical activity participation, behavior change
- Medical subject headings
- Self-Control
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII)Behavioural
Participants completed structured Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) exercises before tennis training sessions. The intervention included identifying training-related goals, reflecting on potential obstacles, and creating specific if-then action plans to support self-regulation and goal-directed behavior.
MCII + WhatsApp RemindersBehavioural
Participants completed standardized Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) exercises before tennis training sessions. In addition, they received structured WhatsApp reminder messages one day before each scheduled session to prompt mental preparation and reinforce engagement with the MCII self-regulation strategy. The reminder messages were the only procedural difference from the MCII-only intervention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| MCII | Experimental | Participants completed Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) exercises before training sessions using a structured worksheet designed for tennis training. Receives: Behavioral: Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) |
| MCII + Reminders | Experimental | Participants completed the same MCII exercises as the comparison group and additionally received structured WhatsApp reminder messages before scheduled training sessions. Receives: Behavioral: MCII + WhatsApp Reminders |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) Score
Self-efficacy was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), a 10-item self-report instrument assessing participants' perceived ability to cope with challenges and perform goal-directed behaviors. Scores were collected at baseline (pretest) and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention period (posttest). Higher scores indicate greater perceived self-efficacy.
Measured: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2026
- Primary completion7 Feb 2026
- Study completion7 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Self-EfficacyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Inonu UniversityThe 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
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two parallel intervention groups: MCII-only or MCII combined with WhatsApp reminders. Both groups completed the same core intervention procedures, differing only in the use of digital reminder prompts. Participants remained in their assigned group throughout the study, and no crossover occurred.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Inonu University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yalin Aygun, Inonu University
- Investigators
- Yalin Aygun, PhD, Principal investigator, Inonu University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07427030
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 02/14
- Other IDs
- PNURSP2026R424
- Acronym
- SportSelf-MCII
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 23 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data used for the primary analyses will be shared. This includes baseline and post-intervention self-efficacy scores, group allocation, and relevant demographic variables collected during the study.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Digital Scaffolding for Self-Regulation: How WhatsApp Reminders Potentiate MCII to Boost University Students' Sport Self-Efficacy Beliefs
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07427030
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SportSelf-MCII / 02/14
- Keywords
- self-regulation, self-efficacy, MCII, WhatsApp reminder prompts, physical activity participation, behavior change
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Inonu UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Feb 2026 (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 clinical trial is to learn whether a self-regulation strategy called Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) can improve university students' confidence in participating in tennis training. The study also examines whether adding WhatsApp reminder messages makes the strategy more effective.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does using MCII help students feel more confident about joining and continuing tennis training?
Do WhatsApp reminders increase the effect of MCII on sport self-efficacy?
Researchers compared two groups. One group used the MCII strategy alone, while the other group used MCII together with reminder messages sent through WhatsApp.
Participants were university students who were already enrolled in a tennis training program. Participants:
Completed a questionnaire about their self-efficacy before the study started
Took part in a four-week intervention during regular tennis training sessions
Completed MCII planning exercises before training sessions
Received WhatsApp reminders before sessions if assigned to the reminder group
Completed the same questionnaire again after the intervention
The study aims to better understand how simple digital reminders may support self-regulation and improve students' confidence to continue participating in sports.
Detailed description
This study is grounded in self-regulation theory and investigates the effectiveness of a structured psychological strategy, Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII), in supporting self-efficacy related to university students' participation in tennis training. In addition, the study examines whether digitally delivered reminder prompts enhance the effectiveness of the MCII intervention compared with the standard MCII procedure alone.
The study used a two-arm randomized experimental design with pretest-posttest assessments. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two conditions: (1) MCII-only or (2) MCII combined with WhatsApp reminder prompts. Randomization was conducted using an SPSS-generated allocation sequence prepared by an independent researcher. Due to the behavioral nature of the intervention and the use of self-reported measures, blinding was not feasible.
The intervention was implemented over a four-week period within a structured university tennis training program. All participants received standardized instruction on the MCII strategy and completed structured MCII worksheets before training sessions. The worksheets guided participants through mental contrasting (identifying desired outcomes and possible obstacles) and implementation intentions (forming "if-then" action plans). Participants assigned to the digital reminder condition received structured WhatsApp prompts one day before scheduled sessions to support anticipatory self-regulation and preparation.
The primary aim of the study is to evaluate whether integrating low-cost digital reminders into a self-regulation intervention produces stronger improvements in self-efficacy compared with using MCII alone. The intervention was designed as a brief, low-intensity behavioral support strategy embedded within regular training activities rather than a standalone program. Data were collected at baseline and immediately after the intervention period using standardized self-report instruments, and analyses focused on within-group and between-group changes associated with intervention condition.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two parallel intervention groups: MCII-only or MCII combined with WhatsApp reminders. Both groups completed the same core intervention procedures, differing only in the use of digital reminder prompts. Participants remained in their assigned group throughout the study, and no crossover occurred.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| MCII | Experimental | Behavioral: Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII)Participants completed Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) exercises before training sessions using a structured worksheet designed for tennis training. |
| MCII + Reminders | Experimental | Behavioral: MCII + WhatsApp RemindersParticipants completed the same MCII exercises as the comparison group and additionally received structured WhatsApp reminder messages before scheduled training sessions. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 31 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Registered member of a university tennis club
- Actively enrolled in a structured tennis training program
- Aged 18 years or older
- Voluntarily agreed to participate and provided informed consent
- Completed baseline assessment procedures
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Did not complete the intervention protocol
- Missed posttest assessment
- Failed to complete required study measures
- Withdrew participation during the study period
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII)Participants completed structured Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) exercises before tennis training sessions. The intervention included identifying training-related goals, reflecting on potential obstacles, and creating specific if-then action plans to support self-regulation and goal-directed behavior. | Behavioural | MCII |
| MCII + WhatsApp RemindersParticipants completed standardized Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) exercises before tennis training sessions. In addition, they received structured WhatsApp reminder messages one day before each scheduled session to prompt mental preparation and reinforce engagement with the MCII self-regulation strategy. The reminder messages were the only procedural difference from the MCII-only intervention. | Behavioural | MCII + Reminders |
Primary outcome
General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) Score
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Self-efficacy was measured using the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), a 10-item self-report instrument assessing participants' perceived ability to cope with challenges and perform goal-directed behaviors. Scores were collected at baseline (pretest) and immediately after completion of the 4-week intervention period (posttest). Higher scores indicate greater perceived self-efficacy.
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 23 Feb 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data used for the primary analyses will be shared. This includes baseline and post-intervention self-efficacy scores, group allocation, and relevant demographic variables collected during the study.
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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.
Yalin Aygun, PhD principal investigator
Inonu University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions (MCII) and MCII + WhatsApp Reminders in people with Self-Efficacy and Self-Regulation, run by Inonu 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 5 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 23 Feb 2026. 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?
General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) Score (time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention). 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 23 Feb 2026.