Texting parents to soothe anxious preschoolers — a trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT07728344
First seen Jul 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a mobile health parenting intervention — delivered via text messages and WeChat posts — can reduce anxiety symptoms, screen use, and social-emotional problems in children aged 3 to 6. Around 356 parent-child pairs will be randomly assigned to receive either the parenting tips or general health messages. The goal is to see if simple, scalable guidance can make a difference in early childhood mental health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a mobile health parenting intervention delivered via text messages and WeChat posts
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this low-cost approach could offer a scalable way to reduce anxiety and problematic screen habits in young children.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is relatively small and relies on parent reports, which may be biased. The effect may be modest or not last long-term.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 356 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Aug 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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3 to 6 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children between 3 and 6 years of age and their primary caregivers; 2. The primary caregiver possesses a mobile phone with SMS-receiving capability, and is able to read and comprehend Chinese; 3. Provide informed consent to participate in both the intervention and the study assessments. Exclusion Criteria: 1. The child has a diagnosed neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorder; 2. The child is undergoing other forms of intervention or psychological therapy at the time of the study;
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.