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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06967337

Microsteps Study-Short, Animated Storytelling Video

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).

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Key information

Conditions

Behavior, Health Behavior Health Behavior

Age range

18 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

  • None

Treatment and study plan

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).

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.

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).

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.

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

    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.

Secondary outcomes

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

    Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post intervention exposure

    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.

  2. Medium-term effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on self-reported consumption of dietary protein.

    Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post intervention exposure

    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.

  3. Medium-term effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on self-reported physical activity.

    Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks post intervention exposure

    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.

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

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

    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.

  5. Effects of the written Microsteps, with instructional booster video or storytelling booster video, on Happiness

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

    Participants self-report levels of happiness on VAS, a longstanding, validated tool for assessing related constructs of stress and subjective well-being

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stanford University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Short, Animated Storytelling Video and Written Messages to Promote Adoption of Health "Microsteps": an Online Randomized Experiment

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 13, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 23, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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