This study evaluates the effect of single exposure to written Microsteps messages and short video booster content, on behavioral expectation to adopt behavioral nudges, in the immediate and medium term. Beyond that, the study will examine the effect of exposure to written Microsteps messages and short video booster content, on hope and happiness. This study will be conducted entirely online. Adult participants, in the US and the UK, will be recruited through the platform Prolific Academic (ProA).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
5,431
Microsteps (behavioral nudges) are a series of short, written messages that were developed by the Thrive Global Wellbeing and Behavior Change Platform, based in the US. The Microsteps messages deliver step-wise, small health behavioral nudges that align with research on behavior change strategies. The behavioral nudges focus on health behaviors that could be useful adjunct interventions for GLP-1RA users, (improved food choices, exercise, sleep and stress management).
The storytelling video is a short, 2D animated, wordless storytelling video, of 2:21 minutes duration. The humorous, animated story features a minion-like character who, with the help of their dog, learns to adopt better health behaviors after experiencing an episode of burnout. The video mirrors the written Microsteps messages, conveying them through comical demonstration, rather than through instructional language. The animated characters are free of cultural identifiers, with the intention of increasing the accessibility of the video by overcoming barriers associated with culture, education, language and literacy. The video is intended to underscore and complement the written Microsteps messages, enhance their durability and boost hope and happiness in viewers.
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States
Effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on behavioral expectation to adopt behavioral nudges, in the immediate and medium-term.
This measure is intended to explore the effect of the written messages, with two different approaches to the video booster, on behavioral expectation to adopt the Microsteps, in the immediate and medium-term. The Microsteps questionnaire consists of 8 questions, each measured on a Likert scale from 1-5 where 1 = very unlikely and 5 = very likely.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention exposure (up to 24 hours) and 2 weeks post exposure.
Medium-term effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on self-reported consumption of sweetened beverages.
Participants self report frequency of consuming sugar-sweetened drinks at baseline and two weeks after single exposure to the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video. Participants are asked how often they choose to drink sugar-sweetened drinks on a 4-item scale from never/rarely to daily.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post intervention exposure
Medium-term effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on self-reported consumption of dietary protein.
Participants self report frequency of including protein-rich foods in each of their meals, at baseline and two weeks after single exposure to the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video. Participants are asked how often they include protein-rich foods in each of their meals, on a 4-item scale from never/rarely to daily.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post intervention exposure
Medium-term effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on self-reported physical activity.
Participants self report frequency of including protein-rich foods in each of their meals, at baseline and two weeks after single exposure to the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video. Participants are asked how often they engage in physical activity that gets their heart rate up, on a 4-item scale from never/rarely to daily.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
The Instructional Video is a short 2:27min video demonstrating the microsteps and presenting additional information about the rationale for adopting them. The video features an educator who explains these points in a didactic format, and a second educator who demonstrates performing a microstep (stretching at a desk).
Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post intervention exposure
Effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on Hope
Participants self-report levels of hope using a visual analogue scale (VAS), a longstanding, validated tool for assessing related constructs of stress and subjective well-being.The scale goes from zero to 100 and higher scores indicate higher levels of hope.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post intervention exposure (up to 24 hours) and 2 weeks post intervention exposure
Effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on Happiness
Participants self-report levels of happiness on VAS, a longstanding, validated tool for assessing related constructs of stress and subjective well-being
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post intervention exposure (up to 24 hours) and 2 weeks post intervention exposure