Just-in-time Adaptive Intervention Messaging in a Digital Weight Loss Intervention for Young Adults

Part of paid clinical trials in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Study ID
NCT05625061
Status
Completed

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 39 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) Intervention — BEHAVIORAL
    All participants receive a mobile behavioral weight loss intervention delivered through a study smartphone app with weekly behavioral lessons, food tracking log, weekly tailored feedback, and daily weight-related behavioral goals; a connected physical activity tracker and wireless scale. As micro-randomized trials are sequential, full factorial experiments, this core intervention component is combined with each of the 7 intervention messages (i.e., Behavior Change Technique (BCT) messages) to be tested repeatedly over time. Participants will be evaluated at each of 3 decision points (morning, midday, evening) on each day of the study, and if eligible then micro-randomized, to receive or not receive, 1 of 7 types of daily intervention messages promoting achievement of proximal weight-related behavioral goals.
  • Behavior Change Technique 1 Message (Action Planning) — BEHAVIORAL
    Core BWL Intervention + Message in smartphone app prompts detailed planning of performance of one of the 3 target behaviors (daily weighing, active minutes, red food intake).
  • Behavior Change Technique 2 Message (Discrepancy between Current Behavior and Goal) — BEHAVIORAL
    Core BWL Intervention + Message in smartphone app provides feedback on each of the 3 target behaviors (daily weighing, active minutes, red food intake) in the form of information drawing attention to discrepancies between participants' current behavior and participants' daily goals.
  • Behavior Change Technique 3 Message (Feedback on Outcome of Behavior) — BEHAVIORAL
    Core BWL Intervention + Message in smartphone app provides participants with feedback on their weight change, relating it to their performance on one of the 3 target behaviors (daily weighing, active minutes, red food intake).
  • Behavior Change Technique 4 Message (Social Support) — BEHAVIORAL
    Core BWL Intervention + Message in smartphone app advises participants on eliciting the provision of social support from their existing network related to one of the 3 target behaviors (daily weighing, active minutes, red food intake).
  • Behavior Change Technique 5 Message (Social Comparison) — BEHAVIORAL
    Core BWL Intervention + Message in smartphone app systematically induces comparison of participants' behavioral performance with other participants, including general, upward (i.e., comparison to participants doing better: weighing more, engaging in more activity, staying within red food limits), and downward comparisons (to participants doing worse).
  • Behavior Change Technique 6 Message (Social Reward) — BEHAVIORAL
    Core BWL Intervention + Message in smartphone app reinforces participants' effort or progress in performing one of the 3 target behaviors (daily weighing, active minutes, red food intake).
  • Behavior Change Technique 7 Message (Focus on Past Success) — BEHAVIORAL
    Core BWL Intervention + Message in smartphone app advises participants to think about or list previous successes related to performing one of the 3 target behaviors (daily weighing, active minutes, red food intake).

Study Details

The purpose of this micro-randomized trial is to evaluate the effects of 7 types of intervention messages targeting specific behavior change techniques (i.e., BCT messages) delivered in "just-in-time" (JIT) moments on daily achievement of weight-related behavioral goals among n=201 young adults with overweight and obesity, participating in a digital, mobile comprehensive lifestyle intervention. "Just-in-time adaptive interventions" (JITAIs) are an alternative to the "one size fits all" approach of mobile intervention development that can provide tailored, real-time messaging and support for young adults.

Key Dates

Start date
Aug 25, 2023
Status verified
Jan 2025
Primary completion
Jan 5, 2025
Completion
Jan 27, 2025

Study Design

Enrollment
255 participants (actual)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Core Behavioral Weight Loss (BWL) Intervention
    Behavioral weight loss core intervention, includes activity tracker, wireless scale, daily self-weighing, and smartphone app with weekly behavioral lessons, food tracking log, weekly tailored feedback summary, and daily weight-related behavioral goals. Core intervention component is combined with each of the 7 intervention messages to be tested repeatedly over time.
  • Experimental: Core BWL Intervention + BCT 1 Message (Action Planning)
    Core BWL Intervention + Message testing the Behavior Change Technique "Action Planning"
  • Experimental: Core BWL Intervention + BCT 2 Message (Discrepancy)
    Core BWL Intervention + Message testing the Behavior Change Technique "Discrepancy Between Current Behavior and Goal"
  • Experimental: Core BWL Intervention + BCT 3 Message (Feedback on Outcome of Behavior)
    Core BWL Intervention + Message testing the Behavior Change Technique "Feedback on Outcome of Behavior"
  • Experimental: Core BWL Intervention + BCT 4 Message (Social Support)
    Core BWL Intervention + Message testing the Behavior Change Technique "Social Support"
  • Experimental: Core BWL Intervention + BCT 5 Message (Social Comparison)
    Core BWL Intervention + Message testing the Behavior Change Technique "Social Comparison"
  • Experimental: Core BWL Intervention + BCT 6 Message (Social Reward)
    Core BWL Intervention + Message testing the Behavior Change Technique "Social Reward"
  • Experimental: Core BWL Intervention + BCT 7 Message (Focus on Past Success)
    Core BWL Intervention + Message testing the Behavior Change Technique "Focus on Past Success"

Primary Outcome Measure

Met Daily Weighing Goal [ Time Frame: Daily throughout the study, a total of up to 24 weeks ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth Carolina27514-

Find similar trials in Chapel Hill, NC

By condition
Obesity / overweight
By specialty
EndocrinologyMetabolic healthWeight loss
By research site
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill· Chapel Hill, NC

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