NCT07467057

Brief Summary

This study examines whether a short digital abstinence intervention can reduce digital distractions and improve time management among undergraduate nursing students. Excessive smartphone and social media use has been associated with decreased academic productivity, impaired concentration, and poor time management in university students, particularly in demanding programs such as nursing. This quasi-experimental study will evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention in which participants limit or abstain from non-academic smartphone use for a defined period. Nursing students will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated measures of digital distraction and time management. The findings of this study aim to determine whether reducing digital distractions can enhance students' ability to manage their time effectively and improve their academic focus. The results may inform strategies for promoting healthier digital habits and improving academic performance among nursing students.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
80

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
1mo left

Started Mar 2026

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress76%
Mar 2026Jun 2026

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 9, 2026

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 12, 2026

Completed
3 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 15, 2026

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 15, 2026

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 15, 2026

Expected
Last Updated

March 12, 2026

Status Verified

March 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1 month

First QC Date

March 9, 2026

Last Update Submit

March 9, 2026

Conditions

Problematic Smartphone UseDigital DistractionTime Management

Keywords

Digital abstinenceSmartphone overuseSocial media useNursing students

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Time Management Score

    The primary outcome is the change in participants' time management from baseline to post-intervention, measured using a structured questionnaire/validated time management scale administered to undergraduate nursing students. Higher scores indicate better time management.

    Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention period If your study used a specific named instrument, replace the description with the exact scale name. For example:

Study Arms (2)

Digital Abstinence Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this group will undergo a brief digital abstinence intervention aimed at reducing non-academic smartphone and social media use. Students will be instructed to limit or abstain from non-essential digital activities for the duration of the intervention period. Educational guidance and self-monitoring strategies will be provided to help participants manage digital distractions and improve time management. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated questionnaires measuring digital distraction and time management behaviors.

Behavioral: Digital Abstinence Intervention

Usual Digital Use (Control)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will continue their usual smartphone and social media use without any specific restriction or behavioral intervention. They will complete the same baseline and follow-up assessments as the intervention group to evaluate changes in digital distraction and time management over the study period.

Interventions

Digital Abstinence InterventionBEHAVIORAL

Participants assigned to the intervention group will receive a brief behavioral intervention designed to reduce non-academic smartphone and social media use. The intervention encourages temporary abstinence or substantial reduction of digital activities that contribute to distraction. Participants will be guided to monitor their smartphone use and minimize engagement with non-essential digital platforms during the intervention period. The goal of the intervention is to reduce digital distractions and support improved time management and academic focus among nursing students.

Also known as: Digital detox Smartphone restriction Digital distraction reduction intervention
Digital Abstinence Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 25 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the nursing program.
  • Aged between 18 and 25 years.
  • Regular users of smartphones and social media.
  • Willing to participate in the digital abstinence intervention and complete study questionnaires.
  • Able to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • Students currently participating in another behavioral or digital-use intervention study.
  • Students with medical or psychological conditions that may interfere with study participation.
  • Students who do not regularly use smartphones or digital media.
  • Students who decline or withdraw consent to participate in the study.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

King Faisal

Jeddah, Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia

RECRUITING

Related Publications (4)

  • Luo Z, Zhou R, Nong K, Peng X, Chen L, Li P, Deng S, Ou M, Hao X, Ye L, Wang Y, Chen G, Li S, Zhu T. Digital Health Interventions in Pediatric Perioperative Care: A Network Meta-Analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2025 Nov 1;179(11):1153-1161. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.3099.

    PMID: 40952714RESULT

  • Ramadhan RN, Rampengan DD, Yumnanisha DA, Setiono SB, Tjandra KC, Ariyanto MV, Idrisov B, Empitu MA. Impacts of digital social media detox for mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Narra J. 2024 Aug;4(2):e786. doi: 10.52225/narra.v4i2.786. Epub 2024 Aug 7.

    PMID: 39280291RESULT

  • Setia S, Gilbert F, Tichy ML, Redpath J, Shahzad N, Marraccini ME. Digital Detox Strategies and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Why, Where, and How. Cureus. 2025 Jan 30;17(1):e78250. doi: 10.7759/cureus.78250. eCollection 2025 Jan.

    PMID: 40026988RESULT

  • Marciano L, Jindal S, Viswanath K. Digital Detox and Well-Being. Pediatrics. 2024 Oct 1;154(4):e2024066142. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-066142.

    PMID: 39285845RESULT

Central Study Contacts

Mostafa shaban, phd

CONTACT

1094008904mostafa.shaban2020@cu.edu.eg

mostafa kandil, phd

CONTACT

1094008904mostafa.shaban2020@cu.edu.eg

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Participants will be assigned to either an intervention group receiving a brief digital abstinence intervention or a comparison group continuing usual smartphone use. Outcomes related to digital distraction and time management will be assessed before and after the intervention.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
dr

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 9, 2026

First Posted

March 12, 2026

Study Start

March 15, 2026

Primary Completion

April 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 15, 2026

Last Updated

March 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

SA(1)