The Impact of Medical TV Drama in Improving Literacy on Neurocysticercosis

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-15

Study Completion Date

2026-04-15

Brief Summary

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This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether exposure to a medical television drama improves knowledge of neurocysticercosis (NCC) among young adults. Sixty participants aged 18-35 will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will watch a medically relevant TV episode (House M.D., Season 1, Episode 1), or a control group with no media exposure. Both groups will complete pre- and post-test questionnaires assessing knowledge of NCC. The primary outcome is change in NCC-related knowledge. Secondary outcomes include motivation to seek further health information and perceived credibility of the media source

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Detailed Description

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Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a parasitic infection of the central nervous system caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm. It is one of the leading preventable causes of epilepsy worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite this, awareness and understanding of NCC remain low among young adults, who often play a key role in disseminating health information within their families and communities. Conventional health education efforts have had limited success in increasing public literacy about NCC, underscoring the need for innovative, engaging communication strategies.

This study uses an open-label, two-arm randomized controlled trial design to evaluate whether exposure to a medical television drama can improve knowledge of NCC among young adults. The trial will be conducted entirely online to enable participation from a geographically diverse population and to reflect modern media consumption patterns. After providing electronic informed consent, eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated allocation process to ensure randomization integrity.

Participants in the intervention group will watch House M.D., Season 1, Episode 1 - a medically themed television episode featuring a dramatized case of parasitic brain infection with conceptual relevance to NCC. The control group will not view the episode during the study period but will be offered access to the same content after data collection is complete. Both groups will complete structured online questionnaires before and after the intervention period to measure changes in NCC-related knowledge and attitudes. These questionnaires have been developed and validated through expert review and pilot testing.

The trial's primary objective is to determine whether viewing the medical TV drama improves knowledge of NCC, as measured by changes in pre- and post-intervention knowledge scores. Secondary objectives include assessing participants' motivation to learn more about NCC and their perception of the credibility of the TV drama as an educational resource. Statistical analyses will include paired and independent t-tests (or corresponding non-parametric tests where appropriate), with significance set at p \< 0.05.

Data will be collected securely using encrypted online survey platforms. All responses will be anonymized, and no personally identifiable information will be stored. Data access will be limited to the research team, and all procedures will comply with international data protection standards.

This trial is designed in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines for randomized behavioral and educational interventions. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of Caleb University, Nigeria, and the study will adhere to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (1964). Participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time before data analysis without consequence.

This research is innovative in its use of entertainment-education as a vehicle for improving disease literacy. By evaluating the effect of a medical TV drama on public knowledge of NCC, the study aims to provide evidence for scalable, cost-effective, and culturally adaptable strategies for health communication in resource-limited settings. The findings are expected to contribute to global public health education efforts, particularly those addressing neglected parasitic diseases and preventable causes of epilepsy.

Conditions

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Neurocysticercosis Health Literacy Epilepsy

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Two-arm, open-label, randomized controlled trial with parallel assignment.

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

NONE

This is an open-label trial; no blinding was performed.

Study Groups

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Intervention (House M.D. Episode)

Participants in this arm will watch a selected episode of the medical television drama House M.D. (Season 1, Episode 1), which features a dramatized case of neurocysticercosis. The intervention is designed to provide narrative-based exposure to information relevant to the disease. Participants will complete pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessing knowledge, motivation, and credibility.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Medical TV Drama Episode (House M.D.)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the experimental group will watch a selected episode of the medical drama House M.D. (Season 1, Episode 1), which includes a dramatized storyline relevant to neurocysticercosis. The episode is intended to deliver narrative-based health education. After viewing, participants will complete post-test questionnaires assessing changes in knowledge, motivation, and credibility compared to pre-test results.

Control (No Episode)

Participants in this arm will not receive any exposure to medical television content during the study period. They will complete the same pre- and post-intervention questionnaires as the intervention group, allowing comparison of changes in knowledge, motivation, and credibility.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Medical TV Drama Episode (House M.D.)

Participants in the experimental group will watch a selected episode of the medical drama House M.D. (Season 1, Episode 1), which includes a dramatized storyline relevant to neurocysticercosis. The episode is intended to deliver narrative-based health education. After viewing, participants will complete post-test questionnaires assessing changes in knowledge, motivation, and credibility compared to pre-test results.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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House M.D. Season 1, Episode 1

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 18 to 35 years
* Proficient in English (reading and comprehension)
* Has access to a stable internet connection
* Possesses a screen-enabled device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or computer)
* Has access to the Netflix streaming platform

Exclusion Criteria

* Has formal education in medical or health sciences
* Has a prior diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NCC)
* Has previously participated in any NCC-related health literacy or awareness program
* Lacks access to the Netflix movie platform
* Below 18 years or above 35 years of age

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes