Âé¶¹´«Ã½AV

Preprint / Working Paper

Secondary analysis of the Game of Stones trial of text messages with financial incentives for men with obesity

Alternative title Secondary analysis: The Game of Stones trial

Details

Citation

Dombrowski SU, Hoddinott P, Macaulay L, O¡¯Dolan C, Swingler J, Cotton S, Avenell A, Getaneh AM, Gray C, Hunt K, Kee F, MacLean A, McKinley MC, Torrens C & Marjon vdP (2024) Secondary analysis of the Game of Stones trial of text messages with financial incentives for men with obesity [Secondary analysis: The Game of Stones trial]. https://www.medrxiv.org/. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.19.24319336

Abstract
Objective: To explore whether socio-economic, health and behavioural characteristics moderate effectiveness of a text message intervention with or without financial incentives versus a control group, and to examine differences in exploratory outcomes. Methods: Three-group randomized trial including 585 men with obesity comparing daily automated behavioural text messages for 12-months alongside financial incentives; text messages alone; or a waiting list control. Moderator analyses examined percent weight change after 12 months for 9 socio-economic and 11 health factors. Exploratory outcomes included: self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviour, smoking and alcohol behaviours, engagement in 15 weight management strategies, and weight-management related confidence. Results: No moderator effects were found by any factors for either comparison versus control. There were no differences between groups for health behaviours. The texts with incentives group had higher levels of engagement in six strategies including weight goals, food changes and self-weighing, and higher levels of confidence compared to the control group. Conclusion: No evidence of differential intervention effectiveness was found across socio-economic, health or wellbeing status. The texts and financial incentives group showed greater engagement in weight management and favourable changes in weight management confidence compared to the control group.

Keywords
Obesity; behaviour change; financial incentives; secondary analysis

Notes
Additional authors: Katrina Turner, Graeme MacLennan

StatusEarly Online
Funders
Publication date online31/12/2024

People (4)

Dr Stephan Dombrowski

Dr Stephan Dombrowski

Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Psychology

Professor Kate Hunt

Professor Kate Hunt

Professor, Institute for Social Marketing

Dr Lisa Macaulay

Dr Lisa Macaulay

Trial Manager, CHeCR

Dr Alice MacLean

Dr Alice MacLean

Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing

Files (1)