Chatbot for Weight Loss

Overseen By Brooke T Nezami, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Must not be taking: Weight loss medications

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Heart conditions, Eating disorders, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether adding a chatbot to a smartphone-based weight loss program can help young adults lose weight more effectively. Participants will either follow a standard program that sends a few messages daily or use the same program with a chatbot offering extra support. The researchers aim to determine if the chatbot makes the program easier to adhere to and more effective at promoting weight loss. The trial seeks English-speaking young adults with a BMI between 25 and 45 who own an iPhone and are open to being assigned to either group. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative weight loss support methods.

What prior data suggests that this chatbot is safe for weight loss programs?

Research has shown that using chatbots for weight loss is generally safe and well-received. In several studies, participants used chatbots without major problems. For instance, one study found that teens in a weight-loss program had over 4,000 conversations with a chatbot, and no negative effects were reported. Additionally, a review of multiple studies found that chatbots effectively encourage healthy habits and more physical activity.

Most research suggests that people find these chatbots easy to use and helpful. Since health programs already use chatbots without significant safety issues, they appear to be a safe option for supporting weight loss. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the use of a chatbot for weight loss because it offers a fresh approach to behavioral interventions. Unlike traditional methods, which typically involve in-person counseling or generic app-based programs, this approach integrates a chatbot into a smartphone app to provide real-time, personalized support. The chatbot acts as a digital coach, offering tailored advice and motivation whenever needed, making the weight loss process more engaging and accessible. This innovative delivery method could significantly enhance adherence and outcomes by fitting seamlessly into participants' daily lives.

What evidence suggests that integrating a chatbot into a weight loss program is effective for weight loss?

This trial will compare two approaches to a weight loss program. One group will receive the standard AGILE behavioral weight loss intervention via a smartphone application. Another group will receive the same intervention with an added chatbot feature integrated into the app. Research has shown that adding a chatbot to a weight loss program can be helpful. Studies indicate that chatbots can help set goals, give feedback, and track progress, supporting people in sticking to their weight loss plans. Evidence suggests that participants using AI chatbots in these programs often stay more engaged and achieve better results. Specifically, one study found that people using a mobile technology system, including chatbots, lost at least 5% of their starting weight. Overall, AI chatbots can make weight loss programs more effective by offering personalized support. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Brooke T Nezami, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

Body mass index (BMI) of 25-45 kg/m^2

English-speaking and writing

I own an iPhone with a data plan.

Exclusion Criteria

Report a past diagnosis of, or receiving treatment for, a DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision) eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa)

Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next 4 months

Health or psychological diagnoses that preclude participation in a prescribed dietary and exercise program, including history of or diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, hospitalization for a psychiatric diagnosis in the past year, current diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 12-week mobile behavioral weight loss intervention via the study smartphone application, with or without an integrated chatbot

12 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins via the app

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for program engagement and weight change after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Chatbot

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Core Intervention with Chatbot Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants receive the standard AGILE behavioral weight loss intervention via the study smartphone application plus a chatbot integrated into the app.

Group II: Core Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants receive the standard AGILE behavioral weight loss intervention via the study smartphone application.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

800+

Citations

1.

trial.medpath.com

trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/f651529a8a882636/nct07534254-generative-ai-mobile-health-promotion-tailored-messaging-engagement

Piloting a Generative Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in a Mobile ...

The goal of this study is to learn if integrating a chatbot into an existing 12-week smartphone-delivered behavioral weight loss program is ...

2.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589750026000026

ChatGPT for obesity management: a review of evidence ...

Evidence from AI chatbot research suggests that conversational agents frequently incorporate goal setting, feedback loops, progress monitoring, ...

3.

trialstoday.org

trialstoday.org/trial/NCT07534254

Piloting a Generative Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in ...

The goal of this study is to learn if integrating a chatbot into an existing 12-week smartphone-delivered behavioral weight loss program is ...

4.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11109864/

Effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence-Assisted App ... - PMC

This study aims to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel artificial intelligence–assisted weight management app in improving eating behaviors

5.

scholarcommons.sc.edu

scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1426&context=acorn_pub

Artificial Intelligence-Based Chatbots for Promoting Health ...

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI)–based chatbots can offer personalized, engaging, and on-demand health promotion interventions.

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13107892/

Chatbot-based interventions for improvement of diet, physical ...

This systematic review aims to summarize the effectiveness, acceptability, and potential mechanisms of chatbot-based interventions in improving diet, physical ...

7.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41746-023-00856-1

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness ...

Findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that chatbot interventions are efficacious for increasing physical activity, ...

8.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12254675/

The effect of chatbot-based exercise interventions on physical ...

This systematic review aims to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of chatbot-based exercise interventions (EIs) in randomized controlled ...