Microsteps for Health Behaviors

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Must be taking: GLP-1RA

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how simple written messages, called Microsteps, and short videos can support positive behavior changes and improve feelings of hope and happiness. Participants will encounter these Microsteps through either an instructional or storytelling video and then share their thoughts and feelings. The aim is to determine if these messages encourage healthier habits. The trial seeks adults in the US and UK who are on or have taken GLP-1RA medications, commonly used for diabetes management. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance well-being and lifestyle habits.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your medications since the study is conducted online and focuses on behavioral messages.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that using "nudges" like Microsteps safely helps people change their behavior. These nudges are small, simple messages or actions that gently encourage better choices, such as being more active or eating healthier. Studies have found that these interventions are well-tolerated, meaning people usually experience no negative reactions.

Both the instructional and storytelling video methods are considered low-risk. They offer ideas on improving daily habits without causing harm. For those considering joining a trial using these methods, it is reassuring to know they are safe and designed to support positive changes gently. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these Microsteps for Health Behaviors because they focus on small, actionable changes that can be easily integrated into daily life, potentially leading to better health outcomes. Unlike traditional health interventions that may require significant lifestyle overhauls or medication, Microsteps use written messages and engaging videos to gently nudge behavioral change. This approach is unique because it leverages behavioral psychology to increase hope and happiness, aiming for sustainable improvements in health behaviors without overwhelming individuals.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective?

Research has shown that simple strategies, such as Microsteps, offer effective and affordable ways to change behavior. These strategies use easy reminders to guide actions, and studies have found they help people manage chronic diseases better. In this trial, participants will receive Microsteps through either instructional or storytelling videos, focusing on key areas like sleep, diet, exercise, stress management, and social connections. Traditional training programs often face challenges, but these research-backed small steps can significantly enhance effectiveness. Delivered through videos, these Microsteps aim to create real-time improvements in health and well-being. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Maya Adam, MD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults in the US and UK who are registered with Prolific Academic and currently using GLP-1RA medication. There are no specific exclusion criteria, making it broadly accessible to those meeting the inclusion conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must be living in US and UK

Registered with the Prolific Academic platform

I am currently taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Intervention

Participants are exposed to written Microsteps messages and either an instructional or storytelling video, followed by a questionnaire to assess behavioral expectations and emotional responses

1 day

Online session

Follow-up

Participants complete a self-reported behavioral adoption questionnaire and assess changes in hope and happiness

2 weeks

Online follow-up

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Instructional Video
• Microsteps
• Storytelling video

Trial Overview The study is testing whether a single exposure to written 'Microsteps' messages and short video content can influence people's expectations to adopt health behavior nudges immediately after viewing, as well as actual adoption two weeks later. It also looks at hope, happiness, and engagement post-trial.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Written messages of Microsteps and Storytelling video Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will be shown written Microsteps messages presenting various behavioral nudges, as well as a short, animated storytelling video. Thereafter, they will be asked to complete the questionnaire assessing their behavioral expectation of adopting the behavioral nudges and two visual analogue scales measuring hope and happiness. Two weeks later, participants will be invited to return and complete these outcome assessments again.

Group II: Written messages of Microsteps and Instructional video Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will be shown written Microsteps messages presenting various behavioral nudges and a short instructional video. Thereafter, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess their behavioral expectation of adopting the behavioral nudges and two visual analogue scales measuring hope and happiness. Two weeks later, participants will be invited to return and complete these outcome assessments again.

Group III: Do-nothing Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will not be exposed to either the microsteps or video content before they are asked to complete the questionnaire assessing their behavioral expectation of adopting the behavioral nudges and two visual analogue scales measuring hope and happiness. Two weeks later, participants will be invited to return and complete these outcome assessments again.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Citations

1. time.com time.com/6309926/behavior-is-a-miracle-drug-health/

Behavior Is a Miracle Drug for Our Health There are five foundational daily behaviors that, together, make up this miracle drug: sleep, food, movement, stress management, and connection.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8584752/

Nudge strategies for behavior-based prevention and control of ... Nudging, a strategy that uses subtle stimuli to direct people's behavior, has recently been included as an effective and low-cost behavior change strategy ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168851019302283

The effectiveness of nudges in improving the self ... This review demonstrates that nudges can improve chronic disease self-management, but there is hardly any evidence to date that these interventions lead to ...

4. arist.co arist.co/post/nudge-science-5-research-backed-micro-interventions-increase-training-effectiveness/blogrelixir

Nudge Science: 5 Research-Backed Micro-interventions ... Nudge Science: 5 Research-Backed Micro-interventions That Increase Training Effectiveness by Double Digits. Introduction. Training programs fail not because of ...

5. thriveglobal.com thriveglobal.com/platform

AI-Powered Health and Productivity Platform Created in partnership with the OpenAI Startup Fund, the Coach delivers real-time nudges and recommendations to improve your health, one Microstep at a time.

6. ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-020-00942-7

Choice architecture interventions to change physical activity ... This systematic review aimed to summarize studies on micro-environmental choice architecture interventions that encouraged physical activity or discouraged ...

7. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/394472813_Micro-Health_Interventions_Exploring_Design_Strategies_for_1-Minute_Interventions_as_a_Gateway_to_Healthy_Habits

Micro-Health Interventions: Exploring Design Strategies for ... Many people use physical activity tracking products to gather personal behavioral data, make better decisions, and make changes to their ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11583291/

Personalized interventions for behaviour change: A scoping ... JITAIs approach offers guidance on developing a personalized intervention that provides the right type and dosage of support and deliver it at the right time.