Microsteps Study-Short, Animated Storytelling Video

NCT06967337 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 80047
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 5,431
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

Behavior, Health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 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.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention exposure (up to 24 hours) and 2 weeks post exposure.

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Medium-term effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on self-reported consumption of sweetened beverages.

  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.

  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.

  Baseline, 2 weeks post intervention exposure

• Effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on Hope

  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

  Baseline, immediately post intervention exposure (up to 24 hours) and 2 weeks post intervention exposure

Study Arms (3)

Written messages of Microsteps and Instructional video

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be shown written Microsteps messages presenting various behavioral nudges and a short instructional video. Thereafter, they will be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess their behavioral expectation of adopting the behavioral nudges and two visual analogue scales measuring hope and happiness. Two weeks later, participants will be invited to return and complete these outcome assessments again.

Behavioral: Microsteps; Behavioral: Instructional Video

Written messages of Microsteps and Storytelling video

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be shown written Microsteps messages presenting various behavioral nudges, as well as a short, animated storytelling video. Thereafter, they will be asked to complete the questionnaire assessing their behavioral expectation of adopting the behavioral nudges and two visual analogue scales measuring hope and happiness. Two weeks later, participants will be invited to return and complete these outcome assessments again.

Behavioral: Microsteps; Behavioral: Storytelling video

Do-nothing Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will not be exposed to either the microsteps or video content before they are asked to complete the questionnaire assessing their behavioral expectation of adopting the behavioral nudges and two visual analogue scales measuring hope and happiness. Two weeks later, participants will be invited to return and complete these outcome assessments again.

Interventions

Microsteps BEHAVIORAL

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).

Written messages of Microsteps and Instructional video; Written messages of Microsteps and Storytelling video

Storytelling video BEHAVIORAL

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.

Written messages of Microsteps and Storytelling video

Instructional Video BEHAVIORAL

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).

Written messages of Microsteps and Instructional video

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 99 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Registered with the Prolific Academic platform
• Using a GLP-1RA medication or having used a GLP-1RA medication in the past.

You may not qualify if:

• None

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Stanford University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

• Maya Adam, MD

  Stanford University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Associate Professor in Department of Pediatrics

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 2, 2025
• First Posted: May 13, 2025
• Study Start: June 19, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 7, 2025
• Study Completion: July 21, 2025
• Last Updated: July 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)