Study of Reminder Messages to Help Adults 45 and Older Log Their Meals Using a Mobile App

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how two different types of reminder messages affect adults aged 45 and older in logging their meals using images. The study aims to understand if reminders that emphasize losing a daily financial reward or those that provide feedback on recent logging streaks improve adherence to meal logging compared to neutral reminders. The trial also explores whether physiological patterns like heart rate changes influence how participants respond to these reminders. Participants are randomly assigned three times daily to receive one of three types of push notifications before their usual mealtimes a loss-framed reminder about losing a financial reward, a consistency reminder showing feedback on recent meal logging, or a neutral reminder simply reminding them to log their meal. The trial lasts 28 days, during which participants photograph their meals three times a day and continuously wear a smartwatch and smart ring. A daily financial reward is given if meal logging is completed for the day. Before starting, participants attend a baseline visit for consent and device setup. Throughout the 28-day intervention, adherence to meal logging within two hours of each reminder is tracked. Researchers also collect physiological data to study its impact on reminder effectiveness. The main outcome is meal logging adherence measured at each reminder, with additional analysis of physiological moderators. The total participation time includes the initial visit and the 28-day remote monitoring period.

Reminder Strategies to Improve Meal-Logging Adherence