What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

Common treatments for obesity include behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy, and lifestyle modifications. Behavioral interventions, such as those using gamification and social incentives, leverage principles from behavioral economics to motivate patients through competition or collaboration, thereby increasing physical activity and adherence to healthy behaviors. Pharmacotherapy involves medications that reduce appetite or increase satiety, aiding in weight loss. Lifestyle modifications focus on diet and exercise to create a caloric deficit. These mechanisms are crucial for obesity patients as they address both the psychological and physiological aspects of weight management, promoting sustainable behavior changes and improving overall health outcomes.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for obesity include lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, and behavioral strategies such as gamification. Lifestyle interventions, which encompass diet and physical activity, generally have minimal side effects but may include temporary discomfort or fatigue. Pharmacotherapy, such as the use of semaglutide, can cause gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea. Behavioral strategies, including gamification designed to enhance social incentives, typically have few direct side effects but may lead to psychological stress or decreased motivation if not well-implemented. Overall, the side effects of these treatments are generally manageable and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

FDA-approved treatments for obesity include medications such as orlistat, phentermine-topiramate, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, and semaglutide. These medications work through various mechanisms, such as appetite suppression and inhibition of fat absorption. While the gamification study focuses on behavioral economics and social incentives to increase physical activity, it does not directly mention specific FDA-approved drugs. However, combining pharmacotherapy with behavioral interventions, such as those studied in gamification, can enhance weight loss outcomes.

What other types of research exist?

Promising, novel alternatives to gamification for obesity treatment include: 1) Virtual Reality (VR) technology, which has shown positive attitudes among nutrition experts and potential for integration into therapy; 2) Digital therapeutics, such as game-based digital tools approved by the FDA for improving attention and potentially adaptable for obesity treatment; 3) Biosimulation techniques, which use advanced modeling to design and predict the outcomes of weight loss maintenance programs.

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Gamification for Obesity (STEP 4 Vets Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Scott R Greysen, MD

Research Sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 6 months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial uses game-like elements to make exercise more fun for obese Veterans with high blood pressure. By encouraging competition or teamwork, it aims to help them be more active and healthier.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for Veterans aged 18 or older with obesity (BMI > 30) and high blood pressure (systolic >140mm Hg), who are interested in a 9-month physical activity program. It's not suitable for those already very active (over 7500 steps/day), in another study, unable to walk without help, or for whom the program is unsafe.

What is being tested?

The trial tests two types of gamification designed using behavioral economics: one that encourages group collaboration and another that fosters competition among participants to increase their physical activity levels. The effectiveness, costs, and implementation within Veterans Affairs will be evaluated.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this intervention involves increasing physical activity through gamified challenges rather than medication, side effects may include typical exercise-related issues such as muscle soreness or strain but should otherwise have minimal risks.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 6 months

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~6 months

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 6 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

change in physical activity

Secondary study objectives

blood pressure

weight

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: gamification with competitionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

participants receive a FitBit and set goals, then are assigned to a group of other participants who will play a game to gain points based on competition with each other

Group II: gamification with collaborationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

participants receive a FitBit and set goals, then are assigned to a group of other participants who will play a game to gain points based on collaboration with each other

Group III: attention controlActive Control1 Intervention

participants receive a FitBit and set goals but do no other intervention

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for obesity include behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy, and lifestyle modifications. Behavioral interventions, such as those using gamification and social incentives, leverage principles from behavioral economics to motivate patients through competition or collaboration, thereby increasing physical activity and adherence to healthy behaviors. Pharmacotherapy involves medications that reduce appetite or increase satiety, aiding in weight loss. Lifestyle modifications focus on diet and exercise to create a caloric deficit. These mechanisms are crucial for obesity patients as they address both the psychological and physiological aspects of weight management, promoting sustainable behavior changes and improving overall health outcomes.

Video Games, Obesity, and Children.