A Randomized Trial of Behaviorally Designed Gamification and Social Incentives to Increase Physical Activity Among Overweight and Obese Veterans (NCT05554601)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Despite the many associated health benefits, more than half of Veterans do not achieve enough regular physical activity. The investigators' prior work has demonstrated that gamification, a method commonly used for health promotion, can lead to sustained increases in physical activity if it is designed using insights from behavioral economics to enhance social incentives. In this study, the investigators will compare the effectiveness of behaviorally designed gamification that encourages Veterans to collaborate or compete on physical activity levels and examine clinical outcomes as well as costs, barriers and facilitators to implementation of the program within Veterans Affairs.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (4 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (5 items).
Location: Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- currently participating in another physical activity research study
- any medical conditions prohibiting ambulation without assistance
- if a 9-month physical activity program is infeasible or unsafe
- if the Veteran is at a higher level of physical activity (i.e., baseline step count \>7500 steps per day)
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.