Could a phone app help parents of kids with special needs thrive?
NCT ID NCT05467527
First seen Aug 11, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests a 12-week smartphone-based program called PACT, which combines acceptance and commitment training with positive parenting advice, for parents of children with special health care needs. The goal is to see if it can improve parents' mental well-being, psychological flexibility, and parenting confidence, as well as children's emotional and behavioral adjustment. Participants are Cantonese-speaking caregivers in Hong Kong with children aged 3-8 who have conditions like autism, ADHD, or developmental delays. The program includes online modules and group video sessions, with outcomes tracked over a year.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Prosocial-orientated Acceptance and Commitment Training (PACT) plus positive parenting advice delivered via smartphone app and video sessions
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this program could offer a practical, scalable way to support parents' mental health and improve family functioning during infectious disease outbreaks.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is relatively small and relies on self-reported measures, so results may not apply broadly. The program requires consistent engagement, which may be challenging for busy parents.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Surgery, Hong Kong Children's Hospital
Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association
Kowloon, Hong Kong
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