Design and Implementation of a Carer Aromatherapy Training (CAT) Program for Children With Global Developmental Delay in Hong Kong: A Mixed Qualitative Study Using the COM-B Framework

NCT07800689 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: HE-RGC2026/NHS10FRSF/2025/09
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This project aims to design and implement a Carer Aromatherapy Training (CAT) program, guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model, to empower carers with safe and effective aromatherapy practices. Methods This study will employ a mixed-methods approach to explore behavioural changes and the experience of adopting the CAT programme among parents of children with physical disabilities in Hong Kong. Around 30 carers (preferably parents) of children with global developmental delay from different districts of Hong Kong will be recruited to participate in CAT Program. Following participants' consent to participate, a a one-day (8-hour) face-to-face training program will be given to carers being recruited in the study. One session of introduction will be given to staffs by certified IFPA aromatherapy nurse in centres on the first session of training programme for introducing the theories of aromatherapy, the possible benefit behind and safety issues they must be aware of. Afterwards, massage sessions will be demonstrated with standardised effleurage, on abdomen and four limbs and return demonstrated. After the training program, each carer is required to provide a 4-week aromatherapy massage to his/her child (twice per week for around 10-15 minutes). Qualitative data will be collected from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with questions set based on COM-B framework. Quantitative data will be collected through pre- and post-training surveys and analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test to measure changes in carers motivation and behaviour before and after the CAT programme intervention. Expected Outcomes and implications Integration of findings will provide a comprehensive understanding of the training's impact. The study is expected to demonstrate that behaviourally-informed training can improve care delivery, to strengthen workforce resilience and improve care quality.

Conditions

Global Developmental Delay

Keywords

Carer aromatherapy training; Global developmental delay; COM-B

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• To explore the behaviour change and the experience of adopting CAT programme among parents with children suffer physical disability in Hong Kong.

  Measurements The Capacity, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model is a theoretical framework for understanding and supporting behaviour change, consisting of six components that are hypothesised to drive behaviour change, namely capacity (physical capability and psychological capability), opportunity (physical opportunity and social opportunity) and motivation (reflective motivation and automatic motivation). This design allows for a comprehensive understanding of behavioural changes among carers by first identifying measurable outcomes and then exploring the underlying experiences and contextual factors.

  From enrollment to the end of the qualitative interview

• Explore the behaviour change and the experience of adopting CAT programme among parents with children suffer physical disability in Hong Kong.

  MeasurementsThe Capacity, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model is a theoretical framework for understanding and supporting behaviour change, consisting of six components that are hypothesised to drive behaviour change, namely capacity (physical capability and psychological capability), opportunity (physical opportunity and social opportunity) and motivation (reflective motivation and automatic motivation). This design allows for a comprehensive understanding of behavioural changes among carers by first identifying measurable outcomes and then exploring the underlying experiences and contextual factors.

  From enrollment to the end of the qualitative interview up to 40 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Psychosocial well-being on parents

  From enrollment to the end of the intervention up to 40 weeks

Study Arms (1)

Parents with children having global developmental delay.

EXPERIMENTAL

The inclusion criteria of participants are: 1. Carer aged 18 or above (preferably parents) with children having global developmental delay. 2. Carers who has not received any aromatherapy training. Following participants' consent to participate, an 8-hour face-to-face training program will be given to carers being recruited in the study. The program will be held in an activity room of special child care centres. It consists of three modules: (1) Introduction of aromatherapy massage with safety, (2) demonstration of massage steps and (3) return demonstration

Other: Carer Aromatherapy Training (CAT) program and home massage with massage oil with the mixture of Petitgrain Mandarin (Citrus reticulate) essential oil and fractionated coconut oil

Interventions

Carer Aromatherapy Training (CAT) program and home massage with massage oil with the mixture of Petitgrain Mandarin (Citrus reticulate) essential oil and fractionated coconut oil OTHER

Carer Aromatherapy Training (CAT) program Following participants' consent to participate, an 8-hour face-to-face training program will be given to carers being recruited in the study. The program consists of three modules: (1) Introduction of aromatherapy massage with safety concerns, (2) demonstration of massag steps and (3) return demonstration. One session of introduction will be given to staffs by certified IFPA aromatherapy nurse in centres on the first session of training programme for introducing the theories of aromatherapy, the possible benefit behind and safety issues they must be aware of. Afterwards, massage sessions will be demonstrated with standardised effleurage, which mould our hands to the shape of the body being massaged on abdomen and four limbs and return demonstrated. After the training program, each carer is required to provide a 4-week aromatherapy massage to his/her child (twice per week for around 10-15 minutes).

Parents with children having global developmental delay.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Carer aged 18 or above (preferably parents) with children having global developmental delay.
• Carers who has not received any aromatherapy training.

You may not qualify if:

• Carers cannot communicate with English or Chinese.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hong Kong Metropolitan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• Baker BL, McIntyre LL, Blacher J, Crnic K, Edelbrock C, Low C. Pre-school children with and without developmental delay: behaviour problems and parenting stress over time. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2003 May-Jun;47(Pt 4-5):217-30. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00484.x.

  PMID: 12787154 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Learning Disabilities

Interventions

Massage; Oils, Volatile

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Communication Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Oils; Lipids

Central Study Contacts

Sze Ki Veronica LAI, Dr

CONTACT

85239708737; sklai@hkmu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: The IFPA aromatherapy who delivers the training programme will be masked for the outcome measurements.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 23, 2026
• First Posted: September 2, 2026
• Study Start: June 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027
• Last Updated: September 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: ICF
• Time Frame: From the start day to the end of the project.
• Access Criteria: The PI and the research assistant.

Locations

HK (1)