Leeds Sweet RCT

Title of Study:  A randomised confectionery trial to compare the effects of eating sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs on the wellbeing of staff in the Leeds health and care economy.

Introduction

We would like to invite you to take part in a research study about eating different confectioneries.  Before you decide whether to take part, it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what it involves.  Members of our team will be available to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to also talk to your friends and colleagues about the study, if you wish. The study protocol has been included in case you wish to see it (see below).  Please ask us if you would like more information.

What is the purpose of the study?

The study is trying to find out if eating sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs have different effects on staff wellbeing. 

Do I have to take part?

Taking part in this study is entirely voluntary.  If you decide you wish to take part you will be asked to complete a Consent Form before proceeding.  If you decide that you don’t wish to take part in this study you do not need to do anything further and your day at the Clinical Conference will continue as normal. 

What will happen if I do take part?

If you do decide to take part in this study your day at the Clinical Conference will continue as usual; the only difference will be you will receive a sherbet lemon or chocolate éclair (selected at random), and after eating your selected confectionery you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire about your experience.

What are the benefits of taking part?

By taking part in this study, you will gain experience of being a participant in a randomised controlled trial.

You will also be helping the researchers to gain a greater understanding of whether eating sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs improves staff wellbeing. 

Will my details be confidential?

Yes.  We will follow all data protection laws and all information about you will be kept strictly confidential. 

What will happen to the results of the study?

When the study is complete the results will be presented in the LCH Trust Communications Bulletin, on the Research Department pages of the LCH intranet and on the Library web pages.

Who is organising and funding the study?

The study is being organised and funded by the Research Department and Library Service at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information.

 

***  To take part in the study whist at the conference, please follow the link here on a phone / mobile device ***

 

 

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Full Research Title:  A randomised confectionery trial to compare the effects of eating sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs on the wellbeing of staff in the Leeds health and care economy.

Short Title:  Leeds Sweet RCT

Chief Investigator:  Christine Comer, Clinical Research Fellow

Sub Investigator:  Helen Swales, Library Services Manager

Background:

There is some evidence that consuming confectioneries can offer a short-term boost to wellbeing by providing a temporary source of comfort and pleasure. This is primarily due to the psychological effects of sugar, which can alter brain chemistry and temporarily reduce stress. Anecdotal evidence reported by members of the Research and Library teams confirms short term improvements in wellbeing, but it is unclear whether chocolate has a greater or smaller effect than other confectioneries. 

Primary Research Question:  Does eating sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs affect wellbeing of staff in the Leeds health and care economy in the short-term?

Secondary Question:  Is there a difference in the effects of different confectioneries on short-term wellbeing? 

Inclusion Criteria:

• Member of staff in the Leeds health and care economy
• Willingness to eat chocolate or other confectionery
• Willingness to complete short questionnaire
• Able to give informed consent
• Able to access the questionnaires via phone or other digital device

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to ingredients in sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs
• Intolerance to ingredients in sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs
• Other medical reason for not ingesting ingredients in sherbet lemons or chocolate eclairs

Recruitment Aim: 50

Methodology

This research will take place over one day: Thursday 26^th June 2025.  This date has been chosen to coincide with the LCH and GP Confederation Clinical Conference Day.

Members of staff in the Leeds health and care economy will be invited to take part in the trial during the morning tea-break and lunchbreak on the clinical conference day. Invites will be shared digitally and via posters at the Clinical Conference day, and potential participants will also be invited in person as they visit the research and library conference stands.

Potential participants will be provided with a digital Participant Information Sheet which they will be able to access on their smartphone via a QR code. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the research.  Once potential participants have had all their questions answered they will complete a digital eligibility checklist. If they confirm that they wish to participate and meet all the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria, they will be able to proceed to the consent form.

After completion of the digital consent form, participants will then be randomised using a “lucky dip” randomised technique, to receive either the sherbet lemon intervention or the chocolate eclair intervention.  Once the participant has eaten their confectionery, they will be asked to complete a short digital questionnaire about their experience which will be platformed on an Microsoft Teams Survey Form. 

Data will be analysed within the Microsoft survey form. If more detailed analysis is warranted and appropriate, data will be exported to an Excel spreadsheet. Results will be published via Trust Communications Bulletin and Research Department and Library Services web pages.