mHealth Intervention for Obesity

Overseen By Rachel Lyons, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Southern California

Disqualifiers: Cognitive disability, Medical conditions, Pregnancy, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 16 weeks

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a smartphone app can change attitudes toward exercise and increase physical activity. Participants will engage in programs focusing on either their feelings during exercise or workout intensity. The trial seeks adults in the U.S. who are overweight or obese, exercise less than 60 minutes per week, and are ready to become more active. Participants must have a smartphone and be willing to wear a provided fitness tracker daily. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance exercise motivation and overall health.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

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

Research has shown that mobile health (mHealth) tools, like the one tested in this trial, are usually safe and easy for participants to use. One study found that mHealth technology can improve physical fitness, especially for individuals who are overweight or obese. Another study discovered that a smartphone app with goal-setting features increased activity levels without major safety concerns.

For the SAVOR enhancement, data from a heart safety study showed it met key safety goals, indicating no increased risk of heart problems. While the TYPE/CONTEXT enhancement lacks specific safety data, this trial phase focuses on assessing safety and participant tolerance.

Overall, past research suggests that the treatments in this trial are likely safe for participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about these mHealth interventions for obesity because they harness the power of digital technology to personalize and enhance weight loss efforts. Unlike traditional approaches that might focus solely on diet or exercise, these interventions use smartphone apps to set personalized physical activity goals. Key features include the SAVOR and TYPE/CONTEXT enhancements, which aim to boost motivation by tapping into positive emotions and context-driven cues. By combining affect-based and intensity-based goals, these treatments offer a dynamic approach that could lead to more sustainable lifestyle changes. This innovative method of using technology and psychology could revolutionize how we tackle obesity, making weight management more engaging and effective.

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

Studies have shown that mobile health (mHealth) tools, like the one tested in this trial, can greatly assist with weight loss and encourage more physical activity. Research indicates these digital tools work as effectively as traditional exercise methods in reducing body fat and improving fitness. In this trial, some participants will receive the SAVOR enhancement, which has enhanced eating habits and overall well-being. Other participants will receive the TYPE/CONTEXT enhancement, which may further increase effectiveness by customizing the program to fit individual preferences and situations. Together, these methods aim to make staying active and losing weight easier and more enjoyable. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Genevieve F Dunton, PhD MPH

Principal Investigator

University of Southern California

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for inactive adults in the U.S. who are overweight or obese, with a BMI ≥ 25 and less than 60 minutes of structured physical activity per week. Participants must own a smartphone, be able to read English and small fonts on a smartwatch (or willing to use reading glasses), and be willing to wear a Fitbit Versa daily. Pregnant individuals, those unable to engage in physical activity due to medical conditions, or unable to consent due to cognitive disability cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

Own a personal smartphone device

Self-reported BMI ≥ 25

Current structured physical activity engagement < 60 minutes per week

Exclusion Criteria

Current pregnancy

I cannot participate in physical activities or use a smartwatch for health surveys.

I found out about this study through a referral or Reddit.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive intensity-based or affect-based goals for 8 weeks, then cross-over to the alternate goal type for another 8 weeks. Some groups receive additional enhancements such as SAVOR and TYPE/CONTEXT.

16 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in implicit attitudes and physical activity behavior after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Physical Activity Goals mHealth Intervention
• SAVOR enhancement
• TYPE/CONTEXT enhancement

Trial Overview The eMOTION trial is testing strategies that might change how people feel about exercising without them realizing it ('implicit attitudes'). It aims to see if these changes can make people more active. The study includes using an app on their phone (mHealth Intervention), setting personal exercise goals, and possibly enjoying exercises more (SAVOR enhancement).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intensity > Affect (no enhancements) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive intensity-based goals for the first 8-weeks, then cross-over to receive affect-based goals for the second 8-weeks. No enhancements are added to the standard mHealth intervention.

Group II: Intensity > Affect (+TYPE/CONTEXT) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants receive intensity-based goals for the first 8-weeks, then cross-over to receive affect-based goals for the second 8-weeks. In addition to the standard mHealth intervention, participants engage in the TYPE/CONTEXT enhancement to augment the treatment effects of the affect-based goals condition.

Group III: Intensity > Affect (+SAVOR) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants receive intensity-based goals for the first 8-weeks, then cross-over to receive affect-based goals for the second 8-weeks. In addition to the standard mHealth intervention, participants engage in the SAVOR enhancement to augment the treatment effects of the affect-based goals condition.

Group IV: Intensity > Affect (+ SAVOR + TYPE/CONTEXT) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants receive intensity-based goals for the first 8-weeks, then cross-over to receive affect-based goals for the second 8-weeks. In addition to the standard mHealth intervention, participants engage in both SAVOR and TYPE/CONTEXT enhancements to augment the treatment effects of the affect-based goals condition.

Group V: Affect (no enhancements) > Intensity Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive affect-based goals for the first 8-weeks, then cross-over to receive intensity-based goals for the second 8-weeks. No enhancements are added to the standard mHealth intervention.

Group VI: Affect (+TYPE/CONTEXT) > Intensity Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants receive affect-based goals for the first 8-weeks. In addition to the standard mHealth intervention, participants engage in the TYPE/CONTEXT enhancement to augment the treatment effects of the affect-based goals condition. Participants then cross-over to receive intensity-based goals for the second 8-weeks.

Group VII: Affect (+SAVOR) > Intensity Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants receive affect-based goals for the first 8-weeks. In addition to the standard mHealth intervention, participants engage in the SAVOR enhancement to augment the treatment effects of the affect-based goals condition. Participants then cross-over to receive intensity-based goals for the second 8-weeks.

Group VIII: Affect (+ SAVOR + TYPE/CONTEXT) > Intensity Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Participants receive affect-based goals for the first 8-weeks. In addition to the standard mHealth intervention, participants engage in both SAVOR and TYPE/CONTEXT enhancements to augment the treatment effects of the affect-based goals condition. Participants then cross-over to receive intensity-based goals for the second 8-weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Southern California

Lead Sponsor

Trials

956

Recruited

1,609,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Citations

1. i-jmr.org i-jmr.org/2025/1/e73656

Guideline-Based Digital Exercise Interventions for ... Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of digital exercise interventions based on PA guidelines in reducing BW and fat in ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589537023004868

Effectiveness of holistic mobile health interventions on diet ... In the meta-analysis, holistic mHealth interventions were associated with significant weight loss (9 RCTs; mean difference −1.70 kg, 95% CI −2.45 to −0.95; I2 = ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12312992/

Effects of an Exercise Intervention Based on mHealth ... Conclusions. mHealth-based technology was as effective as offline exercise interventions in improving body fat percentage and athletic quality ...

4. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e51478

Effectiveness of mHealth App–Based Interventions for ... Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggests that mHealth app–based interventions may yield small-to-large beneficial effects on TPA, SB, BMI, ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1661028/full

a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects ... This study revealed that the mHealth intervention had a significant effect in elevating PA and MVPA levels in older adults and was effective in ...

6. journals.humankinetics.com journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/aop/article-10.1123-jpah.2025-0188/article-10.1123-jpah.2025-0188.pdf

Incorporating a Physical Activity mHealth Tool Into a ... Steps4Health shows promise as part of a broader strategy to enhance physical activity engagement within clinical weight management services.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8817216/

Promoting Physical Activity and Weight Loss With mHealth ... This study suggests that mHealth interventions are effective for improving PA among workers. Future studies that assess long-term efficacy with a larger ...

8. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21650799241265131

A Workplace Physical Activity Intervention and ... This study assessed the effectiveness of a free smartphone app with a goal-setting feature to increase physical activity (PA) and impact anthropometric, body ...

9. odphp.health.gov odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/physical-activity

Physical Activity - Healthy People 2030 | odphp.health.gov Healthy People 2030 includes objectives focused on improving health and well-being by helping people get enough aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity.