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. 2023 Jan:124:107010.
doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2022.107010. Epub 2022 Nov 15.

Gamification and neurotraining to engage men in behavioral weight loss: Protocol for a factorial randomized controlled trial

Evan M Forman  1 , Meghan L Butryn  2 , Christina Chwyl  2 , Melissa M Crane  3 , Hannah Dart  2 , Charlotte J Hagerman  4 , Stephanie M Manasse  4 , Michael Onu  4 , Jasmine Sun  2 , Harm Veling  5 , Fengqing Zhang  4
Affiliations

Gamification and neurotraining to engage men in behavioral weight loss: Protocol for a factorial randomized controlled trial

Evan M Forman et al. Contemp Clin Trials. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Over 70% of men are overweight, and most desire weight loss; however, men are profoundly underrepresented in weight loss programs. Gamification represents a novel approach to engaging men and may enhance efficacy through two means: (1) game-based elements (e.g., streaks, badges, team-based competition) to motivate weight control behaviors and (2) arcade-style "neurotraining" to enhance neurocognitive capacities to resist the temptation of unhealthy foods and more automatically select healthy foods. This study will use a 2 × 2 factorial design to examine the independent and combinatory efficacy of gamification and inhibitory control training (ICT). Men with overweight/obesity (N = 228) will receive a 12-month mobile weight loss program that incorporates behavioral weight loss strategies (e.g., self-monitoring, goal setting, stimulus control). Men will be randomly assigned to a non-gamified or gamified version, and an active or sham ICT. A game design company will create the program, with input from a male advisory panel. Aims of the project are to test whether a gamified (versus non-gamified) weight loss program and/or ICT (versus sham) promotes greater improvements in weight, diet, and physical activity; whether these treatment factors have combinatory or synergistic effects; to test whether postulated mechanisms of action (increased engagement, for gamification, and inhibitory control, for ICT) mediate treatment effects; and whether baseline gameplay frequency and implicit preferences for ICT-targeted foods moderate effects. It is hoped this study will contribute to improved mHealth programs for men and enhance our understanding of the impact of gamified elements and neurocognitive training on weight control.

Keywords: Gamification; Inhibitory control training; Men; Obesity; Weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Evan M. Forman receives royalties from Oxford Press for a published acceptance-based behavioral weight loss treatment manual and workbook and is on the Scientific Advisory board for Nutrisystem Health. Meghan Butryn serves as a behavioral weight loss consultant for Education Initiatives, Inc. and receives royalties from Oxford Press for published books on acceptance-based behavioral weight loss.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Non-gamified (control) App
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Gamified app mockup
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Non-Gamified and Gamified Inhibitory Control Training Mock-Ups Note. Panel A depicts the non-gamified active inhibitory control training; Panel B depicts the gamified activity inhibitory control training.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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