The Effect of Structured Health Information-Seeking Training on Cyberchondria and E-Health Literacy in Menopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age45-65
SponsorIstanbul University

About this trial

This randomized controlled study will examine whether two different forms of structured health information-seeking education can help women in perimenopause or postmenopause use online health information more effectively. It will assess whether video-based education and Pecha Kucha-based education reduce cyberchondria, which refers to repeated online health searches that may increase health-related worry, and improve e-health literacy and knowledge about menopause.

The study will include 60 women aged 40 to 65 years. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to a video-based education group, a Pecha Kucha-based education group, or a control group, with 20 participants in each group. The education will cover how to identify reliable online health sources, evaluate health information, recognize misleading content, use effective search methods, and avoid online searching behaviors that may increase anxiety. The control group will not receive structured education during the study period. Outcomes will be assessed before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month later. The findings will help determine which educational method is more effective in supporting safe and informed online health information-seeking among women during the menopausal transition.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Aged 40 to 65 years

Being in the perimenopausal or postmenopausal period

Able to read and understand Turkish

Having experience using a smartphone, the internet, or social media

Disqualifiers

Having a diagnosed psychiatric disorder

Having a neurological disorder that affects cognitive functioning

Having a hearing or visual impairment that prevents effective communication or participation

Having a severe health condition that prevents regular participation in the study

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Video-Based Health Information-Seeking Education

    Other intervention

    Video-Based Health Information-Seeking Education: Participants will receive structured health information-seeking education through an educational video. The video will explain the benefits and risks of searching for health information online; how to assess the author, institution, publication date, and scientific basis of online content; how to recognize advertisements, commercial content, sensational headlines, and misleading social media information; how to use appropriate search terms and verify information across multiple reliable sources; and how to limit repetitive searches that may increase health-related anxiety. The video format allows the educational content to be delivered in a standardized audiovisual format.

  • Pecha Kucha-Based Health Information-Seeking Education

    Other intervention

    Pecha Kucha-Based Health Information-Seeking Education: Participants will receive structured health information-seeking education using the Pecha Kucha presentation format. The presentation will consist of 20 visually focused slides, each displayed automatically for

Treatment groups

60 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups
Group A: Video-Based Education GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Pecha Kucha-Based Education GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Change in Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form Score

Cyberchondria will be assessed using the 12-item Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form (CSS-12). The scale evaluates excessive online health searches, distress, reassurance seeking, and compulsive searching. Each item is rated on a 5-point scale. Total scores range from 12 to 60, with higher scores indicating greater cyberchondria severity. Changes in scores will be compared among the video-based education, Pecha Kucha-based education, and control groups.

Time frame
Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 month after the intervention

Secondary outcomes

1

Change in E-Health Literacy Scale Score

E-health literacy will be assessed using the E-Health Literacy Scale. The scale evaluates participants' perceived ability to find, understand, evaluate, and use health information obtained from electronic sources. The eight scored items are rated on a 5-point scale, producing a total score ranging from 8 to 40. Higher scores indicate greater e-health literacy. Changes in scores will be compared among the three study groups.

Time frame
Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 month after the intervention

Other outcomes

1

Change in Menopause Knowledge Scale Score

Knowledge about menopause will be assessed using the 14-item Menopause Knowledge Scale. The scale includes two domains: general menopause knowledge and knowledge of menopausal symptoms and their management. Total scores range from 14 to 70, with higher scores indicating greater menopause knowledge. Changes in scores will be compared among the three study groups.

Time frame
Baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 month after the intervention

Locations

This trial has no locations.

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Istanbul University

Lead sponsor

Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital

Collaborator

This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: