Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Changing health behaviours is an important and difficult task. Despite growing interest in behavioural theories and models, there is a paucity of research examining their validity in explaining oral health behaviours, and there is a need for interventional studies to assess their effect...

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Main Authors: Patrick Finbarr Allen, Xiaoli Gao, Mun Loke Wong, Ashish Chetan Kalhan, Joshua Jiaming Xie, Hamzah Siti Hajar, Alvin Boon Keng Yeo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2022-12-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/12/e064791.full
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author Patrick Finbarr Allen
Xiaoli Gao
Mun Loke Wong
Ashish Chetan Kalhan
Joshua Jiaming Xie
Hamzah Siti Hajar
Alvin Boon Keng Yeo
author_facet Patrick Finbarr Allen
Xiaoli Gao
Mun Loke Wong
Ashish Chetan Kalhan
Joshua Jiaming Xie
Hamzah Siti Hajar
Alvin Boon Keng Yeo
author_sort Patrick Finbarr Allen
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Changing health behaviours is an important and difficult task. Despite growing interest in behavioural theories and models, there is a paucity of research examining their validity in explaining oral health behaviours, and there is a need for interventional studies to assess their effectiveness in improving oral health. This study aims to test the explanatory power of the dominant psychological theories, develop theory-derived intervention and evaluate its effectiveness in improving oral health of older adults.Methods and analysis 440 community dwelling older adults will be recruited. To be eligible for this trial, one needs to be 55–79 years old, having at least 8 natural teeth, and with no life-threatening disease, impaired cognitive function, or radiotherapy in the head and neck region. At the initial visit, each participant will be required to complete a detailed questionnaire which collects information on sociodemographic background, oral health behaviours and domains of three psychological theories and models: (1) health belief model, (2) theory of planned behaviour and (3) social cognitive theory. The theory or model that best explains the health behaviours will be selected for designing the oral health intervention. The effectiveness of the theory-derived intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups, receiving theory-derived intervention and conventional health education, respectively. At baseline and at 12 and 24 months post intervention, each participant will complete a short questionnaire and undergo an oral examination (dental check-up). The effectiveness of the interventions will be evaluated using behavioural outcomes (diet, toothbrushing, interdental cleaning) and clinical outcomes (oral hygiene, dental caries and periodontal conditions).Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of National University of Singapore (Ref: NUS-IRB-2020-417). Findings will be presented in international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration number NCT04946292.
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spelling doaj-art-f9e7f407cc074bbb91a2cb1b1c9d437d2025-08-20T03:52:39ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552022-12-01121210.1136/bmjopen-2022-064791Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trialPatrick Finbarr Allen0Xiaoli Gao1Mun Loke Wong2Ashish Chetan Kalhan3Joshua Jiaming Xie4Hamzah Siti Hajar5Alvin Boon Keng Yeo63 Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, SingaporeFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, SingaporeFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, SingaporeFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, SingaporeFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, SingaporeFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, SingaporeFaculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, SingaporeIntroduction Changing health behaviours is an important and difficult task. Despite growing interest in behavioural theories and models, there is a paucity of research examining their validity in explaining oral health behaviours, and there is a need for interventional studies to assess their effectiveness in improving oral health. This study aims to test the explanatory power of the dominant psychological theories, develop theory-derived intervention and evaluate its effectiveness in improving oral health of older adults.Methods and analysis 440 community dwelling older adults will be recruited. To be eligible for this trial, one needs to be 55–79 years old, having at least 8 natural teeth, and with no life-threatening disease, impaired cognitive function, or radiotherapy in the head and neck region. At the initial visit, each participant will be required to complete a detailed questionnaire which collects information on sociodemographic background, oral health behaviours and domains of three psychological theories and models: (1) health belief model, (2) theory of planned behaviour and (3) social cognitive theory. The theory or model that best explains the health behaviours will be selected for designing the oral health intervention. The effectiveness of the theory-derived intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups, receiving theory-derived intervention and conventional health education, respectively. At baseline and at 12 and 24 months post intervention, each participant will complete a short questionnaire and undergo an oral examination (dental check-up). The effectiveness of the interventions will be evaluated using behavioural outcomes (diet, toothbrushing, interdental cleaning) and clinical outcomes (oral hygiene, dental caries and periodontal conditions).Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of National University of Singapore (Ref: NUS-IRB-2020-417). Findings will be presented in international conferences and peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration number NCT04946292.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/12/e064791.full
spellingShingle Patrick Finbarr Allen
Xiaoli Gao
Mun Loke Wong
Ashish Chetan Kalhan
Joshua Jiaming Xie
Hamzah Siti Hajar
Alvin Boon Keng Yeo
Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
BMJ Open
title Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_full Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_fullStr Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_short Theory-derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
title_sort theory derived intervention to improve oral health of older adults study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/12/e064791.full
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