Text messages in nature: could a smartphone program get kids moving outside?
NCT ID NCT07674641
First seen Jun 29, 2026 · Last updated Jun 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether an 8-week program delivered through WeChat can help parents encourage their children (ages 6-12) to be more physically active in outdoor natural spaces. Families are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a program based on Self-Determination Theory plus identity support, a program based only on Self-Determination Theory, or an education-only control group. The goal is to see if these digital nudges increase parental support and, in turn, children's activity in nature.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- WeChat-based behavioral intervention
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this approach could offer a simple, scalable way to boost children's physical activity in natural settings, potentially improving their health and well-being.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with 90 families, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention relies on self-reported behavior, which can be biased, and long-term effects are unknown.
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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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School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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