Design and Implementation of a Carer Aromatherapy Training (CAT) Program for Children With Global Developmental Delay in Hong Kong: A Mixed Qualitative Study Using the COM-B Framework

This project aims to design and implement a Carer Aromatherapy Training (CAT) program, guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model, to empower carers with safe and effective aromatherapy practices. Methods This study will employ a mixed-methods approach to explore behavioural changes and the experience of adopting the CAT programme among parents of children with physical disabilities in Hong Kong. Around 30 carers (preferably parents) of children with global developmental delay from different districts of Hong Kong will be recruited to participate in CAT Program. Following participants' consent to participate, a a one-day (8-hour) face-to-face training program will be given to carers being recruited in the study. One session of introduction will be given to staffs by certified IFPA aromatherapy nurse in centres on the first session of training programme for introducing the theories of aromatherapy, the possible benefit behind and safety issues they must be aware of. Afterwards, massage sessions will be demonstrated with standardised effleurage, on abdomen and four limbs and return demonstrated. After the training program, each carer is required to provide a 4-week aromatherapy massage to his/her child (twice per week for around 10-15 minutes). Qualitative data will be collected from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with questions set based on COM-B framework. Quantitative data will be collected through pre- and post-training surveys and analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test to measure changes in carers motivation and behaviour before and after the CAT programme intervention. Expected Outcomes and implications Integration of findings will provide a comprehensive understanding of the training's impact. The study is expected to demonstrate that behaviourally-informed training can improve care delivery, to strengthen workforce resilience and improve care quality.