Refining and Pilot Testing Social Networks for Encouraging Healthy Behaviors: The Social Pounds Off Digitally (Social POD) Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of South Carolina
- Enrollment
- 57
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Weight loss
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Smartphones have the capability to monitor health-related behaviors (exercise, diet, etc.) and provide social support which has the potential to play a powerful role in health promotion. The objective of this study is to refine and pilot test the Social POD app for personalized health monitoring and interaction founded on a combination of social networks, recommender systems, motivational research, and health behavior theory. The aim of our proposed project is to conduct a 3-month pilot RCT among overweight and obese adults (N=150) comparing a theory-based podcast (TBP) plus self-monitoring using a commercially-available calorie and weight tracking app (current most popular diet self-monitoring method) versus TBP plus self-monitoring and social support/incentive points for participating with the Social POD app (TBP+Social POD).
Detailed Description
Objectives and Significance. Smartphones have the capability to monitor health-related behaviors (exercise, diet, etc.) and provide social support which has the potential to play a powerful role in health promotion. The objective of this study is to refine and pilot test the Social POD app for personalized health monitoring and interaction founded on a combination of social networks, recommender systems, motivational research, and health behavior theory. Currently, we are recruiting for usability testing among obese and overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2) adults (n=20) with our basic Social POD app. Our proposed project, which seeks to supplement our current line of research investigating mHealth interventions for overweight and obese adults, has two aims:
Aim 1: Refine our intelligent social agent mobile app (Social POD) based on results from our usability testing and develop new components (i.e., incentive system) for use in a 3-month randomized controlled pilot trial (RCT).
Aim 2: Conduct a 3-month pilot RCT among overweight and obese adults (N=150) comparing a theory-based podcast (TBP) plus self-monitoring using a commercially-available calorie and weight tracking app (current most popular diet self-monitoring method)9 versus TBP plus self-monitoring and social support/incentive points for participating with the Social POD app (TBP+Social POD).
Once the final intervention is developed through Aim 1 including the incentive system, we will recruit 150 overweight adult Android smartphone owners (BMI 25-49.9 kg/m2; age 18-65; >30% AA) to participate in a 3-month pilot of our enhanced intervention. Detecting differences in weight among the two groups is our primary research goal.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Overweight or obese (Body Mass Index between 25 and 49.9 kg/m2)
- •Own and Android phone or tablet
Exclusion Criteria
- •are currently pregnant
- •are younger than 18 or older than 65 years of age
- •are unable to attend 3 meetings at the University of South Carolina
- •don't have access to the Internet and a computer
- •don't have access to a scale for self-monitoring weight
- •aren't willing to be randomized to one of the two groups
- •have a psychiatric disease, drug or alcohol dependency, or uncontrolled thyroid condition
- •have a major health condition, such as heart conditions, diabetes, and past incidence of stroke
- •have an eating disorder
- •currently participating in a weight loss program or taking weight loss medications
Arms & Interventions
Theory-based podcast
Receive a 3-month weight loss intervention delivered via theory-based podcast (TBP) plus self-monitoring using a commercially-available calorie and weight tracking app (current most popular diet self-monitoring method).
Intervention: podcast + mobile diet app
Intervention: Podcast + mobile diet app (Behavioral)
Theory-based podcast + Social POD
Receive a 3-month weight loss intervention delivered via Theory-based Podcast (TBP) plus self-monitoring and social support/incentive points for participating with the Social POD app (TBP+Social POD).
Intervention: podcast + theory-based mobile diet app
Intervention: Podcast + theory-based mobile diet app (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Weight loss
Time Frame: 12 weeks
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Brie Turner-McGrievy
Assistant professor
University of South Carolina