Smartwatch-guided exercise to prevent muscle loss during GLP-1 treatment
BIA Monitoring and Exercise for the Prevention of Muscle Loss With Incretin Therapy (BICEP Study)
See if a smartwatch that tracks activity and body composition and sends exercise reminders helps people starting GLP-1 medications keep muscle and strength.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT07226947 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional program provides adults who recently started or plan to start GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy with a smartwatch that measures activity and body composition and delivers exercise reminders alongside general exercise guidance. Participants use the device during early treatment with liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, or retatrutide while investigators monitor changes in muscle mass and strength. Key inclusion criteria include age ≥18 and BMI ≥25 kg/m2, and exclusions include pregnancy, implanted pacemaker, or inability to participate in regular exercise. The study is conducted at the Diabetes Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in collaboration with Samsung.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with BMI ≥25 who have started or plan to start a GLP-1 receptor agonist within the past or next two months are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are unable to participate in regular exercise, have an implanted pacemaker, or have other safety concerns are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help people on GLP-1 medications maintain muscle mass and strength while losing weight.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show that exercise and activity-tracking can help preserve muscle during weight loss, but pairing wearable-guided programs specifically with GLP-1 therapies is relatively new.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria 1. Age ≥ 18 years old at time of signing informed consent 2. Started treatment with incretin therapy (liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, or retatrutide) within the past 2 months or planning to start this treatment a. Potential participants switching GLP1-RA therapies due to inadequate response to a prior treatment will be eligible for enrollment 3. Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria 1. Current pregnancy (positive urine hCG) or plans to become pregnant in the next 6 months 2. BMI \<25 kg/m2 at the time of screening 3. Unable to participate in a regular physical exercise program 4. Implanted pacemaker 5. Any factors that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, would interfere with the safe completion of the study
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Diabetes Research Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Melissa Putman, MD — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ben O Brenner, BS
- Email: bbrenner1@mgb.org
- Phone: 617-726-1729
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.