Easy-to-Read Content Effectiveness Evaluation

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age3-17
SponsorNational Taiwan University Hospital

About this trial

Individuals with intellectual disabilities face challenges in accessing medical services and health education due to communication barriers and limited support tools. Traditional information delivery methods often fail to meet their needs, leading to unequal access to preventive care and early screening.

This integrated program aims to promote visual health among individuals with intellectual disabilities through the development and implementation of inclusive technologies. The program consists of three sub-projects:

1. Visual Health Promotion and Development of an Inclusive Information Platform for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities - developing accessible health materials for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. 2. Development and Promotion of a Digital Visual Health Screening System for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities - designed to support early detection and intervention tailored to this population. 3. Development of a Healthcare Access Platform and Assistive Technologies for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities - reducing communication barriers during medical visits through technological support.

Previously, our team developed and tested easy-to-read (ETR) materials with adults with intellectual disabilities, focusing on medical visits, eye diseases, and eye care. Once validated, these materials are planned to be adapted into digital versions and serve as the foundation for an online platform.

To evaluate the effectiveness of ETR content, we will conduct an experimental study with 250 children and adolescents with special needs from across Taipei and New Taipei City in Taiwan. Participants will receive different types of visual health education, and outcomes will be measured by improvements in their knowledge. This study aims to validate the impact of ETR resources in reducing health information inequality and improving visual health awareness in this underserved population.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Children and adolescents aged 3 to under 18

Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays.

Children and adolescents who are able to correctly identify at least two out of the three images in the pre-assessment phase.

Disqualifiers

Severe cognitive impairments, hearing impairments, speech disorders, or motor disabilities that would interfere with assessment procedures or participation in the instructional activities.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Standard Visual Health Education

    Behavioral

    Participants receive conventional eye health education using standard visual materials, explained by an instructor.

  • Easy-Read Instructor-Guided Education

    Behavioral

    Participants receive Easy-Read health education through 16 simplified images with instructor-guided explanation using plain language and pictorial content.

  • Easy-Read Audio-Based Self-Learning

    Behavioral

    Participants use a voice-assisted pen device to self-learn Easy-Read materials (16 images) with audio explanations, without additional teacher guidance.

Treatment groups

250 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups
Group A: General Health Education GroupActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Easy-to-Read Guided Teaching GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Easy-to-Read Audio Self-Learning GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Test of basic eye health knowledge Knowledge

This 8-question test assesses basic eye health knowledge. Each item has two stages: an open question (2 points if correct), followed by a yes/no question (1 point if correct) if the first is incorrect. It is given before and after the health education to measure learning outcomes.

Time frame
3 months

Secondary outcomes

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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National Taiwan University Hospital

Lead sponsor

Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan

Collaborator