| CTRI Number |
CTRI/2026/01/100252 [Registered on: 02/01/2026] Trial Registered Prospectively |
| Last Modified On: |
02/01/2026 |
| Post Graduate Thesis |
Yes |
| Type of Trial |
Interventional |
|
Type of Study
|
Preventive |
| Study Design |
Other |
|
Public Title of Study
|
Helping Delhi Youth Manage Internet Overuse |
|
Scientific Title of Study
|
Effectiveness of a Multi-Component Intervention on Problematic Internet Usage among Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR): A mixed method approach |
| Trial Acronym |
N.A |
|
Secondary IDs if Any
|
| Secondary ID |
Identifier |
| NIL |
NIL |
|
|
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)
|
| Name |
Shalini Bassi |
| Designation |
PhD Scholar |
| Affiliation |
Chitkara University |
| Address |
Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Patiala, Punjab
Patiala
PUNJAB
110078
India |
| Phone |
9811625737 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
shalinibassi@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
|
| Name |
Shalini Bassi |
| Designation |
PhD Scholar |
| Affiliation |
Chitkara University |
| Address |
Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Patiala, Punjab
Patiala
PUNJAB
110078
India |
| Phone |
9811625737 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
shalinibassi@gmail.com |
|
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
|
| Name |
Shalini Bassi |
| Designation |
PhD Scholar |
| Affiliation |
Chitkara University |
| Address |
Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Chitkara University, Patiala, Punjab
Patiala
PUNJAB
110078
India |
| Phone |
9811625737 |
| Fax |
|
| Email |
shalinibassi@gmail.com |
|
|
Source of Monetary or Material Support
|
| IIHMR-Delhi Plot No 3, Sector 18 A, Sector 18, Sector 18A, Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi, 110078 The study site to provide infrastructural support |
|
|
Primary Sponsor
|
| Name |
Self funded as part of PhD work |
| Address |
Not Applicable |
| Type of Sponsor |
Other [Self funded as part of PhD work] |
|
|
Details of Secondary Sponsor
|
|
|
Countries of Recruitment
|
India |
|
Sites of Study
|
| No of Sites = 1 |
| Name of Principal
Investigator |
Name of Site |
Site Address |
Phone/Fax/Email |
| Dr Sutapa Neogi |
International Institute of Health Management Research, New Delhi |
IIHMR, Plot no. 3, Sector 18A, Dwarka, Phase-II, New Delhi - 110075 India
New Delhi
DELHI |
7428895912
Sutapa@iihmrdelhi.edu.in |
|
|
Details of Ethics Committee
|
| No of Ethics Committees= 1 |
| Name of Committee |
Approval Status |
| INSTITUTIONAL HUMAN ETHICAL COMMITTEE |
Approved |
|
|
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI
|
|
|
Health Condition / Problems Studied
|
| Health Type |
Condition |
| Healthy Human Volunteers |
Problematic Internet use |
|
|
Intervention / Comparator Agent
|
| Type |
Name |
Details |
| Intervention |
Multi-component Intervention (MCI) to address Problematic Internet Use (PIU) among college students (age 20–29) |
This intervention outline represents a preliminary framework, which will be further refined during the data collection phase, drawing on emerging evidence and expert validation to ensure contextual relevance and scientific rigor. Multi-component Intervention (MCI) to address Problematic Internet Use (PIU) among college students (age 20–29)Target group: College students aged 20–29 years who screen ‘at risk’ for Problematic Internet Use (PIU) using the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS-18), a validated screening instrument for adolescents and young adults. Goal: To reduce problematic internet usage and foster sustainable digital self-management, enhanced mental health coping, improved academic performance, and responsible, balanced internet use among college students. Intervention duration and Rationale: 8 sessions over 8 weeks Delivery Mode
The intervention will adopt a hybrid, multimodal delivery strategy to maximize reach, engagement, and contextual fit:
• In-person intervention sessions facilitated by the Research Scholar
• Print materials (pamphlets, flyers) for reinforcement
• Expert-led sessions by specialists in psychology and digital health
• Digital content dissemination through WhatsApp or email
• Curated multimedia content (informative videos, TED Talks) to support psychoeducation
• Sessions will be spaced weekly for 8 weeks to allow behavior change consolidation.
• Sessions scheduled to minimize academic conflict
|
| Comparator Agent |
Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
|
|
Inclusion Criteria
|
| Age From |
20.00 Year(s) |
| Age To |
29.00 Year(s) |
| Gender |
Both |
| Details |
College-going students, age between 20–29 years
Enrolled in postgraduate program at a college or university located in Delhi-NCR
Self-reported regular internet users (for academic, research, or personal use)
Willing to participate and able to provide informed consent
|
|
| ExclusionCriteria |
| Details |
Students currently receiving any formal PIU intervention or treatment.
|
|
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Method of Generating Random Sequence
|
Not Applicable |
|
Method of Concealment
|
Not Applicable |
|
Blinding/Masking
|
Not Applicable |
|
Primary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| Reduction in overall Problematic Internet Usage score(Internet Dependency) |
Baseline (0 month) and post intervention (8 weeks post intervention) |
|
|
Secondary Outcome
|
| Outcome |
TimePoints |
| Reduction in Social Impairment score(e.g., neglecting academic or social responsibilities) |
Baseline (0 month) and post intervention (8 weeks post intervention) |
| Reduction in Emotional Impairment score (e.g., anxiety or distress related to internet use) |
Baseline (0 month) and post intervention (8 weeks post intervention) |
| Reduction in Risky/Impulsive Internet Use score (e.g., inability to control use, unsafe contexts) |
Baseline (0 month) and post intervention (8 weeks post intervention) |
|
|
Target Sample Size
|
Total Sample Size="428"
Sample Size from India="428"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" |
|
Phase of Trial
|
N/A |
|
Date of First Enrollment (India)
|
20/01/2026 |
| Date of Study Completion (India) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
| Date of First Enrollment (Global) |
Date Missing |
| Date of Study Completion (Global) |
Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials |
|
Estimated Duration of Trial
|
Years="1"
Months="0"
Days="0" |
|
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)
|
Not Applicable |
| Recruitment Status of Trial (India) |
Not Yet Recruiting |
|
Publication Details
|
N/A |
|
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement
|
Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?
Response - NO
|
|
Brief Summary
|
The study is part of PhD in Health Sciences. The prevalence of Problematic Internet Use (PIU) is increasing rapidly, especially as digital technology becomes deeply embedded in everyday life. This issue is particularly relevant for university students and young adults, who often rely heavily on the internet for academic and social purposes. In India, the rise in internet use is driven by a growing youth population and the expansion of internet access under the "Digital India" initiative has created conditions that may foster excessive and unregulated internet use. As technology becomes increasingly integral to their daily lives, understanding and addressing PIU among college students is essential. This study will address a critical gap by focusing on PIU among college students (aged 20–29) in Delhi-NCR. Aim To comprehensively understand PIU and its influencing factors, and to develop and evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of a multi-component intervention for addressing PIU among college students aged 20–29 years in Delhi-NCR. Study Objectives o To estimate the proportion of young adults aged 20–29 years in Delhi-NCR who are ‘at risk’ for PIU. o To explore the factors influencing PIU among young adults identified as being ‘at risk’ of PIU. o To develop and implement a multi-component intervention to address PIU among young adults identified ‘at risk’. o To evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention on problematic internet usage among young adults identified as at risk of PIU. Research design Sequential, mixed-methods study using a pre–post intervention design. The study will integrate quantitative estimation of the proportion of college students who are ‘at risk’ for PIU, qualitative exploration of influencing factors, expert consultation through a Delphi exercise for intervention development, and quantitative evaluation for the effectiveness of intervention. Data Collection Methods The data for the study will be conducted using quantitative surveys, qualitative exploration through in-depth interviews, expert-informed intervention development, and pre-post evaluation to ensure methodological rigor, contextual relevance, and practical significance.
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