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Behavioral Economics and Mobility After Stroke (BE Mobile)

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Behavioral: Gamification with social incentives
Registration Number
NCT04607811
Lead Sponsor
University of Pennsylvania
Brief Summary

In this pilot, randomized controlled trial, the investigators will compare the preliminary effectiveness of a gamification with social incentives 8 week intervention to increase physical activity for adults with stroke.

Detailed Description

In this 2 arm randomized trial, the investigators will compare the preliminary effectiveness of a social incentive-based gamification intervention to increase physical activity relative to a control arm among adults with stroke. All participants will use a Fitbit wearable device to establish a baseline step count, select a step goal increase of 33% to 50% above their baseline and then participate in an 8 week intervention. The gamification arm will be entered into a game with points and levels designed using insights from behavioral economics. They will be asked to select a social support partner who will receive weekly updates on their progress in the game.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
34
Inclusion Criteria
  • History of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (confirmed with ICD-10 or DRG code) at least 3 months prior to enrollment
  • Ability to provide informed consent
  • Life Space Assessment mobility level 3
  • Ability to ambulate outside of their home (self-reported)
  • Owns a smartphone or tablet compatible with required applications for the wearable tracking device
  • Sufficient cognitive ability to participate (5-minute Montreal Cognitive Assessment Score ≥ 11 points)
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Inability to provide informed consent, illiteracy or inability to speak, read, and write English
  • Self-reported history of falls within the last 3 months
  • Severe cognitive impairment (MoCA score ≤ 10 points)
  • Medical condition that may limit participation in physical activity program (e.g. metastatic cancer, end-stage renal disease)
  • Currently institutionalized in skilled nursing or long-term care facility
  • Baseline step count > 7500/day
  • Currently receiving physical therapy services
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Gamification armGamification with social incentivesParticipants will wear the Fitbit device and record their daily step counts during the baseline and 8 week intervention period. Participants will have a weekly step goal they are encouraged to meet. Participants will engage in a social incentive-based gamification based on points and levels that leverages loss aversion, which has been demonstrated to motivate behavior change more effectively with losses than gains. Participants will receive daily feedback for the step counts and weekly feedback for levels. Participants will be asked to identify a support partner, who will receive weekly reports with the the participant's points and levels balance.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Daily step countsIntervention weeks 1-8

Change in mean daily steps from baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Daily step countsIntervention weeks 1-8

Proportion of days participants in the gamification arm met their daily step goal

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pennsylvania

🇺🇸

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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