A gamified mobile health program to help men lose weight
Engaging Men in Weight Loss With a Game-based mHealth and Neurotraining Program: A 2 x 2 Randomized Design
This study is testing a fun mobile app that helps overweight and obese men lose weight by using gaming elements to keep them motivated and focused on their goals.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 228 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Drexel University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT05408494 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This program targets overweight and obese men in the United States, utilizing a gamified mobile health application designed to enhance engagement and efficacy in weight loss efforts. By incorporating elements of video gaming, such as digital rewards and competition, the program aims to motivate participants to achieve their weight loss goals. Additionally, neurotraining video games will be used to improve inhibitory control, helping participants resist high-calorie food temptations. The intervention is designed for men aged 18-65 who are willing to engage in physical activity and have a preference for high-calorie foods.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are overweight or obese men aged 18-65 who can engage in physical activity and have a preference for high-calorie foods.
Not a fit: Patients with medical conditions that pose risks during the intervention, such as cancer or active substance abuse, may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve weight loss outcomes for men, a demographic often underrepresented in traditional weight loss programs.
How similar studies have performed: While gamified approaches in health interventions are gaining traction, this specific application targeting men in weight loss is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: * Individuals must be of overweight or obese BMI (25-50 kg/m) * Individuals must be adults (aged 18-65) * Able to engage in physical activity (defined as walking two city blocks without stopping) * Individuals must also provide consent for the research team to contact their personal physician, if necessary, to provide clearance for the prescribed level of physical activity (i.e., walking) or to consult about rapid weight loss * Have moderate-to-high implicit preference for high-calorie foods * Satisfactory completion of all enrollment procedures\] Exclusion criteria: * Medical condition (e.g., cancer, type I diabetes, renal failure), heavy alcohol use, or psychiatric condition (e.g., active substance abuse, eating disorder) that may pose a risk to the participant during intervention or cause a change in weight * Recently began or changed the dosage of medication that can cause significant change in weight * History of bariatric surgery * Weight loss of ≥ 5% in the previous 3 months
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Drexel University — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Michael C Onu, B.S.
- Email: mo654@drexel.edu
- Phone: (267) 571-7917
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.