Trial Outcomes & Findings for PLANTS Pilot Trial (NCT NCT05897827)

Last Updated: 2025-04-04

Results Overview

At follow-up, participants will complete the four-question Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) about PLANTS. Each question uses a five-point Likert scale for responses, coded with a value from 1 (Completely disagree) to 5 (Completely agree) and averaged to produce the mean acceptability value. The minimum possible mean value is 1 and the maximum mean value is 5. The higher the computed mean value, the more acceptable the intervention.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

Target enrollment

99 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Approximately 4 months after intervention deployment

Results posted on

2025-04-04

Participant Flow

In this pilot study, fewer school staff joined this study than anticipated.

Unit of analysis: Schools

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	PLANTS Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Overall Study STARTED	69 2	30 1
Overall Study Completed Baseline Survey	67 2	28 1
Overall Study Completed Follow-up Survey	35 2	15 1
Overall Study Invited to Follow-up Interview	22 2	10 1
Overall Study Completed Follow-up Interview	13 2	6 1
Overall Study COMPLETED	35 2	15 1
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	34 0	15 0

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure	PLANTS Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Overall Study Lost to Follow-up	33	14
Overall Study Withdrawal by Subject	1	1

Baseline Characteristics

PLANTS Pilot Trial

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure	PLANTS n=67 Participants Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS n=28 Participants Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.	Total n=95 Participants Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous	44.04 years n=5 Participants	44.90 years n=7 Participants	44.30 years n=5 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized Cisgender woman	51 Participants n=5 Participants	19 Participants n=7 Participants	70 Participants n=5 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized Cisgender man	15 Participants n=5 Participants	9 Participants n=7 Participants	24 Participants n=5 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized Nonbinary	1 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	1 Participants n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized Asian	1 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	1 Participants n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized Black or African American	0 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	1 Participants n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized Hispanic	1 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized White	65 Participants n=5 Participants	25 Participants n=7 Participants	90 Participants n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized Unknown	0 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	1 Participants n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment United States	67 participants n=5 Participants	28 participants n=7 Participants	95 participants n=5 Participants
Years Worked at School	16.34 years n=5 Participants	17.44 years n=7 Participants	16.65 years n=5 Participants
Role in School Teacher	45 Participants n=5 Participants	19 Participants n=7 Participants	64 Participants n=5 Participants
Role in School Special education teacher	5 Participants n=5 Participants	2 Participants n=7 Participants	7 Participants n=5 Participants
Role in School Administrator	2 Participants n=5 Participants	3 Participants n=7 Participants	5 Participants n=5 Participants
Role in School Counselor or psychologist	4 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	5 Participants n=5 Participants
Role in School Paraprofessional, teacher assistant, or instructional aide	2 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	3 Participants n=5 Participants
Role in School Other certified staff	3 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	4 Participants n=5 Participants
Role in School Multiple roles	5 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	5 Participants n=5 Participants
Role in School Unknown	1 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Education Completed Some college	1 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Education Completed Bachelor's degree	6 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	6 Participants n=5 Participants
Education Completed Master's degree	55 Participants n=5 Participants	25 Participants n=7 Participants	80 Participants n=5 Participants
Education Completed Professional degree beyond bachelor's degree	2 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	3 Participants n=5 Participants
Education Completed Doctorate degree	3 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	4 Participants n=5 Participants
Sexual Identity Heterosexual (straight)	58 Participants n=5 Participants	22 Participants n=7 Participants	80 Participants n=5 Participants
Sexual Identity Gay or lesbian	7 Participants n=5 Participants	3 Participants n=7 Participants	10 Participants n=5 Participants
Sexual Identity Bisexual	2 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	3 Participants n=5 Participants
Sexual Identity Queer	0 Participants n=5 Participants	2 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Current Religion None	44 Participants n=5 Participants	16 Participants n=7 Participants	60 Participants n=5 Participants
Current Religion Catholicism	14 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	19 Participants n=5 Participants
Current Religion Judaism	2 Participants n=5 Participants	2 Participants n=7 Participants	4 Participants n=5 Participants
Current Religion Protestantism	4 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	5 Participants n=5 Participants
Current Religion Something Else	1 Participants n=5 Participants	2 Participants n=7 Participants	3 Participants n=5 Participants
Current Religion Multiple Religions	1 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Current Religion Unknown	1 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Childhood Religion None	9 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	14 Participants n=5 Participants
Childhood Religion Catholicism	41 Participants n=5 Participants	15 Participants n=7 Participants	56 Participants n=5 Participants
Childhood Religion Judaism	2 Participants n=5 Participants	2 Participants n=7 Participants	4 Participants n=5 Participants
Childhood Religion Protestantism	9 Participants n=5 Participants	4 Participants n=7 Participants	13 Participants n=5 Participants
Childhood Religion Something else	2 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	3 Participants n=5 Participants
Childhood Religion Multiple religions	2 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	2 Participants n=5 Participants
Childhood Religion Unknown	2 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	3 Participants n=5 Participants
Religious Attendance	2.16 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.16 • n=5 Participants	1.96 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.07 • n=7 Participants	2.11 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.13 • n=5 Participants
Religious Activity	1.90 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.40 • n=5 Participants	1.79 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.34 • n=7 Participants	1.86 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.38 • n=5 Participants
Intrinsic Religiosity	2.26 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.12 • n=5 Participants	1.96 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.04 • n=7 Participants	2.18 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.10 • n=5 Participants
Social Desirability	4.71 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.33 • n=5 Participants	5.27 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.50 • n=7 Participants	4.88 units on a scale STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.27 • n=5 Participants
Previous Training about LGBTQ+ Issues Yes	28 Participants n=5 Participants	14 Participants n=7 Participants	42 Participants n=5 Participants
Previous Training about LGBTQ+ Issues No or not sure	39 Participants n=5 Participants	14 Participants n=7 Participants	53 Participants n=5 Participants
Previous Online Training about LGBTQ+ Issues Yes	3 Participants n=5 Participants	7 Participants n=7 Participants	10 Participants n=5 Participants
Previous Online Training about LGBTQ+ Issues No or not sure	64 Participants n=5 Participants	21 Participants n=7 Participants	85 Participants n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Approximately 4 months after intervention deployment

Population: Intervention participants who completed the follow-up survey

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	PLANTS n=35 Participants Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Mean Value of Acceptability of Intervention Measure	3.93 score on a scale Interval 3.73 to 4.13	—

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Approximately 4 months after intervention deployment

Population: Intervention participants who completed the follow-up survey

At follow-up, participants will complete the ten-question System Usability Scale (SUS) about PLANTS. Each question uses a five-point Likert scale for responses, coded with a value from 1 (Strongly agree) to 5 (Strongly disagree). The odd-numbered question responses will be reverse coded. All items will be summed and that sum will be multiplied by 2.5 to produce the final SUS value (ranging from 0-100). The higher the computed value, the more useable the intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	PLANTS n=35 Participants Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Mean Score on the System Usability Scale	75.47 score on a scale Interval 71.12 to 79.83	—

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Approximately 4 months after intervention deployment

Population: Intervention participants who completed the follow-up survey

At follow-up, participants will complete the four-question Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) about PLANTS. Each question uses a five-point Likert scale for responses, coded with a value from 1 (Completely disagree) to 5 (Completely agree) and averaged to produce the mean appropriateness value. The minimum possible mean value is 1 and the maximum mean value is 5. The higher the computed mean value, the more appropriate the intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	PLANTS n=35 Participants Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Mean Value of Intervention Appropriateness Measure	4.01 score on a scale Interval 3.84 to 4.17	—

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Approximately 4 months after intervention deployment

Population: Intervention participants who completed the follow-up survey

At follow-up, participants will complete the four-question Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM) about PLANTS. Each question uses a five-point Likert scale for responses, coded with a value from 1 (Completely disagree) to 5 (Completely agree) and averaged to produce the mean feasibility value. The minimum possible mean value is 1 and the maximum mean value is 5. The higher the computed mean value, the more feasible the intervention.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	PLANTS n=35 Participants Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Mean Value of Feasibility of Intervention Measure	4.01 score on a scale Interval 3.85 to 4.18	—

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline

The investigators will divide the number of school staff who consent to participate by the total number of school staff who are invited, then multiply by 100 to get a percentage.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	PLANTS n=498 Participants Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Trial Participation Rate	19.9 percentage of total school staff Interval 16.5 to 23.7	—

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At follow-up (approximately 4 months after baseline)

The investigators will divide the number of school staff who complete the follow-up survey by the total number of school staff who were enrolled, then multiply by 100 to get a percentage.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	PLANTS n=69 Participants Schools will receive the online-delivered PLANTS intervention, which includes 3 asynchronous training modules and 3 synchronous group events. PLANTS: PLANTS intervention is an online-delivered training program, including asynchronous and synchronous activities. This intervention was informed by the Information-Motivation-Behavior theory to target skills, self-efficacy, knowledge, and outcome expectations. There are 3 asynchronous online modules that cover a variety of topics including lessons on LGBTQ+ terminology, names and pronouns, resources, antibullying, gender neutral bathrooms, student confidentiality, active empathic listening, and school policies. Module include recorded presentations, student testimonials, activities, and downloadable resources for future reference. Every month, 7-9 lessons are opened. There are 2 synchronous group events delivered via Zoom and are 1.5 hours each.	EMAILS n=30 Participants Comparison schools will receive emails with publicly available resources for supporting LGBTQ+ students as a control intervention. EMAILS: The active control arm is an email-based intervention, EMAILS, in which existing public resources for supporting, affirming, and protecting LGBTQ+ students are emailed to participants.
Trial Retention Rate	50.7 percentage of consented staff	49.3 percentage of consented staff

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: At follow-up (approximately 4 months after baseline)

Population: Intent-to-treat intervention population

The investigators will divide the number of participants who adhere to the PLANTS intervention by the total number of school staff who were enrolled at schools randomly assigned the PLANTS intervention and multiply by 100 to obtain a percentage. Adherence is a composite variable ranging from 0-100% comprised of: 55% for online module completion (based on the number of completed items divided by the total number of items offered); 45% for Live Zoom Event attendance (where each event is 15%).