ArticleContemporary clinical trials communications2021
Feasibility and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial to investigate withdrawal symptoms in response to caffeinated sugary drink cessation among children.
Article in Contemporary clinical trials communications, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 4 citations in OpenAlex.
- Formative Research to Develop DC-SIPS: A Multilevel Intervention to Reduce Sugary Drink Intake and Promote Water Intake Among Black Youth in Washington, DC.Journal of nutrition education and behavior · 2025Article
- Validity and reliability of a questionnaire that aims to investigate consumption and problematic eating behaviours towards refined sugar.Journal of nutritional science · 2025Article
- Metabolomics signatures of sweetened beverages and added sugar are related to anthropometric measures of adiposity in young individuals: results from a cohort study.The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSugary drinks (SDs) are key contributors to excess added sugar intake and the predominant source of caffeine among children. Chronic caffeine intake causes dependence, and evidence for sugar dependence is emerging. Development of withdrawal symptoms may pose an obstacle to SD cessation among children. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to investigate withdrawal symptoms resulting from replacement of children's usual caffeinated SD intake with either caffeine-free alternatives or caffeine-free and sugar-free alternatives, compared with continued consumption of caffeinated SDs.
methodsTwenty-nine children 8-12 years old, who consumed ≥12 ounces caffeinated SDs daily, enrolled. The two-week RCT required three in-person meetings and daily completion of electronic questionnaires to assess withdrawal symptoms and intervention adherence. Children were randomized to replace their usual caffeinated SD consumption with 1) caffeine-free alternatives, 2) caffeine-free and sugar-free alternatives, or 3) caffeinated SDs (control), provided by the study team. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively.
resultsTwenty-eight participants (97%) completed the study. Adherence was high, with 73% reporting compliance with beverage assignments, and 76% completing all questionnaires. In qualitative interviews at follow-up, children described feelings of importance and commitment, and parents did not find the procedures to be overly burdensome. While challenges to adherence were reported (e.g., child wanting other SDs, time commitment), participants described innovative strategies (e.g., designating a place for study drinks in the refrigerator) to maintain adherence.
conclusionResults indicated high levels of RCT feasibility and acceptability. The reported barriers and strategies for adherence will inform modifications required to design a larger and longer-term trial investigating withdrawal symptoms after SD cessation in children.
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Registered trials
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