Hans Kai Program for Well-Being

Overseen By Michelle Kirkbride

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Frailty, Unstable health, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the Hans Kai program, a peer-led health promotion initiative for Canadian adults aiming to improve or maintain their well-being. Participants attend an 8-week health school to learn about health and then form small groups to support each other in making healthy lifestyle choices. The trial compares the impact of the Hans Kai program on mental health, social connections, and healthy behaviors against a control group on a waitlist. People motivated to make lifestyle changes and able to participate in group activities might be a good fit for this trial.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative health promotion research and potentially enhance well-being.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on lifestyle changes rather than medication adjustments.

What prior data suggests that the Hans Kai program is safe for participants?

Research shows that the Hans Kai Program improves health through peer support and healthy lifestyle choices. Without drugs or medical procedures, the program is generally safe. Participants attend health classes and form groups to support each other, helping them make better health choices together. Previous studies reported no major safety concerns. The program emphasizes learning and making healthier choices, which most people find manageable. Those considering joining will aim to improve well-being with the support of others. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The Hans Kai program is unique because it empowers individuals to take control of their own health through a peer-led, community-based approach. Unlike traditional treatments that rely on professional healthcare providers, this program encourages participants to actively engage in maintaining or improving their health and wellbeing. Researchers are excited about this method because it fosters self-sufficiency and could lead to sustainable health improvements across diverse groups of people, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status.

What evidence suggests that the Hans Kai program is effective for improving well-being?

Research has shown that the Hans Kai program, which participants in this trial may receive, might improve health and well-being through peer support and social networks. Early studies suggest that participants could experience better mental health, make more social connections, and gain health knowledge. The program also aims to empower individuals to feel more in control of their health. Participants in these studies demonstrated healthier habits, such as improved diet and increased exercise. These early findings offer hope that the Hans Kai program could positively affect overall health and lifestyle. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Dylan Mackay, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Manitoba

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The Hans Kai trial is for Canadian adults who want to improve their lifestyle, can make decisions about participating in a study, and are able to do light exercise. They must be over 18, speak English at least at a grade 6 level, and not have any serious illnesses or cognitive impairments that would prevent them from joining group activities.

Inclusion Criteria

My gender does not affect my eligibility.

You are willing to make changes to your lifestyle as outlined in the study consent form.

I am willing and able to follow all the study's requirements.

Exclusion Criteria

Inability to attend the scheduled Hans Kai Health School and assessment sessions.

Participation in another research trial in the past 12 weeks.

Existing relationship with the research team, such as supervisory relationship (e.g., student or employee) or familial relationship (e.g., child or spouse).

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Health School

Participants attend an 8-week health school to develop health knowledge and skills

8 weeks

Weekly sessions

Peer-led Group Meetings

Participants form Hans Kai groups and meet monthly in a peer-led self-sustaining model

12 months

Monthly meetings

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Hans Kai Program

Trial Overview This trial tests the Hans Kai Program's impact on mental health and social connections. Participants attend an 8-week course to learn about health and then meet monthly in small groups. The program's effects on diet, exercise, sleep habits, alcohol/tobacco use, self-efficacy, empowerment, and cardio-metabolic health are compared with those who wait for the program.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Hans Kai program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Hans Kai program is a peer-led, preventative, self-sustaining, community-based health promotion program for adults of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic circumstances who wish to maintain or improve their health. Hans Kai empowers individuals to take control of their own health and provides a unique opportunity for participants to have an active role in improving or maintaining their health and wellbeing.

Group II: Wait list control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the waitlist control group will remain as close to a 'typical' community member as possible as they will be able to receive any health programming normally available to them in Winnipeg, except the Hans Kai program. Standard of care is made available to all members of the control group as related to the healthcare rights of Canadians and Manitobans holding a Manitoba health card. NorWest staff will provide support to the community members without a Manitoba health card in obtaining one. The only deviation from standard care in the waitlist control group will be the pre- and post-intervention visits during which the control participants will fill out self-report questionnaires and undergo physical assessments.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

NorWest Co-op Community Health

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

90+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6108033/

The HANS KAI Project: a community-based approach to ... HANS KAI is a unique health promotion intervention to improve the health of participants through peer support and strengthening of social support networks.

2. trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-023-07708-z

The Hans Kai trial: study protocol of a mixed methods ... The Hans Kai trial described here aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Hans Kai program in promoting the health and wellbeing of its participants.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03949725

Study Details | A Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Trial ... The Hans Kai trial is a mixed methods randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of the peer-led health promotion Hans Kai program for ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37875962/

The Hans Kai trial: study protocol of a mixed methods ... The Hans Kai trial described here aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Hans Kai program in promoting the health and wellbeing of its participants.

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/323675027_The_HANS_KAI_Project_a_community-based_approach_to_improving_health_and_well-being_through_peer_support

The HANS KAI Project - Peer Support This paper describes the protocol of the Hans Kai trial, a mixed methods RCT evaluating the Hans Kai program, a community-based peer-led health ...

6. canada.ca canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-38-no-3-2018/ar-04-eng.pdf

The HANS KAI Project: a community-based approach to ... HANS KAI harnesses peer support to empower community members to support each other while pro- moting healthy lifestyle choices that address interrelated chronic.