Behavior, HealthNCT06967337
Microsteps Study-Short, Animated Storytelling Video
A study testing Microsteps, Storytelling video and Instructional Video in people with Behavior, Health, run by Stanford University at 1 site in United States.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 99 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Behavior, Health
- What is being tested?
- Microsteps, Storytelling video and Instructional Video
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 5,431 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 19 Jun 2025to 21 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 99 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Registered with the Prolific Academic platform
- Using a GLP-1RA medication or having used a GLP-1RA medication in the past.
Who cannot join
- None
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Short, Animated Storytelling Video and Written Messages to Promote Adoption of Health "Microsteps": an Online Randomized Experiment
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
- Being tested
- Microsteps, Storytelling video, Instructional Video
- Medical subject headings
- Health Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MicrostepsBehavioural
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 videoBehavioural
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 VideoBehavioural
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).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: 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. Receives: 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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
Measured: Baseline, immediately post intervention exposure (up to 24 hours) and 2 weeks post intervention exposure
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 May 2025
- Study start19 Jun 2025
- Primary completion7 Jul 2025
- Study completion21 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Behavior, HealthStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Stanford UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 5,431 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Stanford University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Maya Adam, Stanford University
- Investigators
- Maya Adam, MD, Principal investigator, Stanford University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06967337
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 80047
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 2 May 2025
- Last updated
- 23 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Adam M, Freget L, Barnighausen T, Rodriguez F, Amsalem D, Linos E. Digital Microsteps as Scalable Adjuncts for Adults Using GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Mar 2;9(3):e260577. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0577.
PubMed 41801203
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Short, Animated Storytelling Video and Written Messages to Promote Adoption of Health "Microsteps": an Online Randomized Experiment
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06967337
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 80047
- Conditions
- Behavior, Health
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 5,431 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Stanford UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 21 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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 design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Written messages of Microsteps and Instructional video | Experimental | Behavioral: Microsteps, Behavioral: Instructional VideoParticipants 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. |
| Written messages of Microsteps and Storytelling video | Experimental | Behavioral: Microsteps, Behavioral: Storytelling videoParticipants 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. |
| 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Registered with the Prolific Academic platform
- Using a GLP-1RA medication or having used a GLP-1RA medication in the past.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- None
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MicrostepsMicrosteps (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). | Behavioural | Written messages of Microsteps and Instructional video, Written messages of Microsteps and Storytelling video |
| Storytelling videoThe 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. | Behavioural | Written messages of Microsteps and Storytelling video |
| Instructional VideoThe 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). | Behavioural | Written messages of Microsteps and Instructional video |
Primary outcome
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.
5 secondary outcomes
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
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
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
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
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
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jul 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41801203Adam M, Freget L, Barnighausen T, Rodriguez F, Amsalem D, Linos E. Digital Microsteps as Scalable Adjuncts for Adults Using GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Mar 2;9(3):e260577. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0577.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Maya Adam, MD principal investigator
Stanford University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Microsteps, Storytelling video and Instructional Video in people with Behavior, Health, run by Stanford University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
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.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06967337, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Jul 2025.