RECRUITING

Pilot Study of the YES-CAN! Program to Prevent Youth Nicotine Vaping

Description

The goal of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of a randomized trial of the YES-CAN! (Youth Engaged Strategies to Change Adolescent Norms) program to prevent nicotine vaping among adolescents. The program integrates the following evidence-based strategies: youth-adult collaboration; youth-developed narrative videos to convey health messages; peer leaders as change agents; and sustained implementation to change the normative environment. Two middle/high school communities will receive the YES-CAN! intervention. In each school community, a trained teacher will deliver a credit-earning middle or high school class to 25-30 middle or high school students, who will produce 6-8 short videos intended to increase refusal skills; promote stress management and positive coping; change social norms; prevent vaping initiation; and promote vaping cessation among current users. Videos will use a narrative approach and integrate known determinants of vaping. Middle or high school students will collaborate with the teacher and researchers to develop discussion guides and skills-building activities based on best practices for substance use prevention. In 6-8 sessions, middle or high school students will deliver their videos to all students in the associated middle school. A text messaging or other media component will reinforce and boost the effectiveness of the classroom sessions. Aims for this pilot/feasibility study are: 1. To determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the YES-CAN! program 2. To determine the feasibility and acceptability of the research protocols that will be used in a future efficacy trial

Conditions

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this pilot study is to determine the feasibility of a randomized trial of the YES-CAN! (Youth Engaged Strategies to Change Adolescent Norms) program to prevent nicotine vaping among adolescents. The program integrates the following evidence-based strategies: youth-adult collaboration; youth-developed narrative videos to convey health messages; peer leaders as change agents; and sustained implementation to change the normative environment. Two middle/high school communities will receive the YES-CAN! intervention. In each school community, a trained teacher will deliver a credit-earning middle or high school class to 25-30 middle or high school students, who will produce 6-8 short videos intended to increase refusal skills; promote stress management and positive coping; change social norms; prevent vaping initiation; and promote vaping cessation among current users. Videos will use a narrative approach and integrate known determinants of vaping. Middle or high school students will collaborate with the teacher and researchers to develop discussion guides and skills-building activities based on best practices for substance use prevention. In 6-8 sessions, middle or high school students will deliver their videos to all students in the associated middle school. A text messaging or other media component will reinforce and boost the effectiveness of the classroom sessions. Aims for this pilot/feasibility study are: 1. To determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the YES-CAN! program 2. To determine the feasibility and acceptability of the research protocols that will be used in a future efficacy trial

Pilot and Feasibility Testing of a Peer-led Program to Prevent Youth Nicotine Vaping: The YES-CAN! Program

Pilot Study of the YES-CAN! Program to Prevent Youth Nicotine Vaping

Condition
Nicotine Vaping
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Aurora

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Children enrolled in middle school grades 6-8 and high school grades 9-12 (age approximately 10-13 and 14-17); adults (over age 18) involved in educational system
  • * Not able to read and write in English or Spanish

Ages Eligible for Study

9 Years to 89 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Colorado, Denver,

Lori A Crane, PhD, MPH, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Colorado, Denver

Nancy L Asdigian, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Colorado, Denver

Study Record Dates

2026-09-15