An interventional study of Text Message Reminders and Sun Protection Education Modules in Skin Cancer, sponsored by University of Utah. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 29 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-24.
Sponsored by University of Utah · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
The overall purpose of this proposal is to refine a mobile-health (mHealth) system to reduce excessive unprotected sun exposure among young adults.
Participants will complete a 4-week intervention with all intervention components delivered through the mHealth application. Intervention components include Text Message Reminders, Sun Protection Education Modules, Action Planning Module, and UV Radiation (UVR) Weather Information.
mHealth tools provide an ideal opportunity for reducing young adults' UVR exposure. mSHIELD intervention components were selected to target key constructs (e.g., self-efficacy, barrier reduction) within Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) which are associated with sun protection behaviors. The initial concept for the mSHIELD intervention includes the following four components: real-time UVR alerts and feedback; UVR weather forecasts; text messages; and action planning. Although these components provide a good fit with SCT constructs and utilize evidence-based behavior change strategies, they have rarely been used in the context of mHealth for sun protection, and this will be the first mHealth intervention for sun protection to apply all four of these components simultaneously. Therefore, prior to testing mSHIELD in a large study, it will be important to refine components based on user preferences and pilot tests.
To test the pilot intervention, participants will complete a 4-week intervention with all intervention components delivered through the study application. Intervention components will include: text messages, sun protection education modules, an action planning module, and UVR/weather information. The modules/components are used for the entire 4-week intervention period. Immediately following the 4-week intervention, participants will be asked to complete a post-intervention survey and study interview. Participants will also be asked to complete a survey one month post-intervention. Participants will receive up to 5 reminders to complete each study activity through each of their approved communication methods (e.g., email).
Data collected at the one-month post-intervention surveys will be analyzed and compared to baseline values. For this study, the criteria for a clinically significant impact will be that a participant reports no sunburns and now frequently uses sunscreen and at least one other sun protection method during outdoor time; a priori, a benchmark of at least 50% of participants reaching this criteria is set to indicate whether the intervention can proceed to larger-scale testing or if further refinements are needed.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will complete a 4-week intervention with all intervention components delivered through the study application. Intervention components will include: text messages, sun protection education modules, an action planning module, and ultraviolet radiation (UVR)/weather information. The modules/components are used for the entire 4-week intervention period.
Behavioral: Text Message Reminders · Behavioral: Sun Protection Education Modules · Behavioral: Action Planning Module · Behavioral: UV Radiation (UVR) Weather Information
Participants will receive text message reminders twice a week. These messages will remind participants to use sunscreen or other forms of sun protection and will include brief facts about sun safety and environmental risks.
The education section consists of 5 modules on sun protection basics, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, skin health, sunscreen use, and tanning. Each module takes about 5 to 10 minutes to read.
The app will guide participants through creating a specific plan for using sun protection during a routine outdoor activity. Completing an action plan takes about 5 minutes. Participants will be asked to complete two action plans during the study and prompted to review these plans weekly.
The UVR Weather feature displays information similar to what is available in many weather apps, with a focus on the sunburn risk hours. The display also shows different levels of UV risk throughout the day and indicates the current UV risk based on real-time UV Index. Participants will receive a daily notification summarizing the UV information for that day.
Proportion of Participants with a Clinically Significant Impact
To determine whether a prototype mHealth system improves use of sun protection strategies among young adults. Data at the one-month post-intervention surveys will be analyzed and compared to baseline values. For this study, the criteria for a clinically significant impact will be that a participant reports no sunburns and now frequently uses sunscreen and at least one other sun protection method during outdoor time. This outcome measure will report the proportion of participants with a clinically significant impact.
Time frame: up to 2 months from baseline
Plan to share: No
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
Contact study teamGet an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
University of Utah